Monday 26 October 2015 17:20, UK
Sacked Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has wished the club well and says he will "treasure" May's trip to the FA Cup final.
Sherwood fulfilled his brief to keep Villa up last season and also took them to Wembley, but he lost his job on Sunday on the back of a sixth straight Premier League defeat.
The 46-year-old lasted just eight months at Villa, who are understood to have placed former Lyon manager Remi Garde at the top of their list of potential successors.
But in a statement released through the League Managers' Association Sherwood thanked Villa's staff, players and supporters.
Sherwood said: "I am very disappointed that I will not be able to carry on in my role as manager of Aston Villa.
"I knew when I took on the role that it would be a big challenge, but it proved to be one I greatly enjoyed and I know I have learned a lot from this experience.
"Obviously, the initial priority was to stay in the Premier League, but beating Liverpool in the FA Cup semi at Wembley and then leading the team out for the final was an achievement and experience that I will treasure for the rest of my career.
"I'd like to thank my coaching staff and the staff throughout the club for their dedication, the Villa fans for their passionate support and the players, who gave everything during my time at the club. I wish the club all the best for the rest of the season and indeed for the future."
Villa's FA Cup final appearance in May was their first for 15 years, but they were beaten 4-0 by Arsenal.
