Martin O'Neill tried to destroy my career - Thomas Sorensen

Oct 10 2008

FORMER Aston Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has launched a fresh attack on former manager Martin O’Neill, claiming the Irishman tried to destroy his career.

Sorensen has alleged in the Danish press he was the victim of a whispering campaign that suggested  he had psychological and fitness problems.

He says that prevented him from joining another club in England even when it became clear that he had no future at Villa.

The Denmark ’keeper left Villa Park in the summer after being released by the club and he ended up signing for newly-promoted Stoke.

Sorensen made it clear he had fallen out with O’Neill before Stoke’s victory over Villa at the Britannia Stadium in August.

Their working relationship was never the same after Sorensen questioned O’Neill’s decision to replace him with Scott Carson last season and was fined as a result.

But now he has turned on O’Neill again in Denmark ahead of their World Cup qualifier with Malta.

And he told Danish media: “It stayed personal for him and had nothing to do with football.

“This summer it was so crazy and insane that I suddenly understood: my manager will destroy my career,

“He said to me and to others that he didn’t use me because I just wasn’t good enough but at the same time he didn’t want to let me go to another club.

“He must really have had a down on me personally, because why would he effectively destroy any chances for me to change clubs?

“I know that Manchester City, Blackburn and Middlesbrough were more or less ready to pick up me, but the course of events were the same.

“Suddenly I didn’t hear any more from them, nothing happened and I didn’t get an explanation.’’