Martin O'Neill - The manager they all wanted

In the eyes of some English fans, Aston Villa supporters can count themselves very lucky. The reason: they have Martin O'Neill leading the side, a man that many want to see succeed Steve McClaren as England Head coach. Of course O'Neill has come out many times already and stated that he doesn't want the position and that he's committed to the job that he started at Aston Villa. But with each passing week comes a better result that drags his name back into the running. But what is it about the Northern Irish manager that has made him a candidate for the job?
    O'Neill has of course already been linked to England once, last summer when he was formally interviewed for the job before being overlooked. England's loss was Villa's gain and the Irishman was appointed manager last August.
    O'Neill is famous for being able to wake sleeping giants in football and in doing so, bringing back past glories. When he took the job at Villa he was quoted as saying:
    "It's absolutely fantastic to be back and with a club such as this. This is a fantastic challenge. I am well aware of the history of this football club. Trying to restore it to its days of former glory seems a long way away - but why not try? It is nearly 25 years since they won the European Cup but that is the dream."
    O'Neill started his managerial career at Grantham Town in 1987 but was only there briefly. He then moved on to then non league side Wycombe Wanderers where he won the conference title in 1993.
    In the summer of 1995 he became manager of Norwich, but was not there for long due to a fall out with Chairman Robert Chase. However, it was at his next club that people would sit up and take notice of the tiny Northern Irishman.
    Destination: Leicester City. The Foxes were a side that at the time moved along slowly in the old Division One. In his first season, O'Neill was able to gain promotion to the Premiership. He managed to get them a top ten finish every year he was in charge, as well as winning the League Cup on two separate occasions. This of course meant that Leicester went to Europe; but he couldn't take the fans to their next dream of winning the Uefa Cup.
    However, the magician had done enough to be spotted by Celtic and on 1^st June 2000 he became their new manager. It was a risky move but turned out to be one of his best decision's as he went on to help Celtic topple then consistent champions Rangers, Arguably his most famous achievement to date was taking the Glasgow side to the Uefa Cup final against Porto where 'The Special One', Jose Mourinho, toppled the side 3-2. 
   O'Neill announced in 2005 that he would be leaving management to care for his ill wife Geraldine.
    But after a year in the managerial wilderness, where he turned down jobs from a number of clubs, he decided to become Aston Villa manager. It was a decision that was greeted with great applause by the fans after the disappointment of David O'Leary. Along with the appointment of Randy Lerner at the same time, Aston Villa fans could not believe their luck. They had got the man known as "Martin the Magnificent"
    O'Neill's record so far at the club has been exceptional. He has had money made available and used it wisely to help strengthen. Areas such as the defense with Zat Knight and goalkeeping with exciting young keeper Scott Carson have seen a particular improvement.
    One the key reasons that he is being looked at for the England job is his obvious eye for young English talent, which is something that seems to be lacking at the heart of the Premiership. With players such as Young , Agbonlahor and Luke Moore flying the flag it is clear why many want him to restore national pride but why many Villa fans want him to stay.