Glenn Whelan discovered Aston Villa release via missed calls and says he won’t retire with ‘Real Madrid on the phone’

Glenn Whelan discovered Aston Villa release via missed calls and says he won’t retire with ‘Real Madrid on the phone’
Glenn Whelan discovered he had been released by Premier League-bound Aston Villa over the phone – from two missed calls!The 35-year-old, currently on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, was unavailable when manager Dean Smith called him days after the club’s Championship play-off final victory over Derby.Getty Images - Getty1

Whelan’s Villa career ended in perfect fashion, with the club ending their three-year exile from the Premier League with victory in the Championship play-off final

Whelan said: “There was only one disappointment for me. I went away on the Tuesday with the family and when I landed back in here on Tuesday I had two missed calls, one from a journalist saying I’d been released and one from the manager to give him a call.“From that point of view it was disappointing, but something I expected to be honest.”Whelan, however, will leave Villa Park with his head held high.Asked about the win at Wembley, he said: “It was a great day, a great occasion. I signed two years at Aston Villa to get them back in the Premier League and I got them there, so for me, mission complete. “To be released wasn’t a surprise, obviously what stage I’m at in my career and where Aston Villa want to go.“I’m very pleased with what I’ve achieved over the last few seasons.”Whelan did eventually speak to Smith and insisted that the pair parted on good terms.He said: “We just congratulated each other, wished each other all the best and that was it. There were no hard feelings – I’ve been in the game too long to hold grudges.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Portugal vs Switzerland (Wednesday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT
• Netherlands vs England (Thursday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT
• France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) talkSPORT
• Denmark vs Republic of Ireland (Friday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT 2
• Croatia vs Wales (Saturday, 2pm) talkSPORT
• England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) talkSPORT

“No listen, I want to wish Aston Villa all the best, thank them for my time there, thank the fans, everyone that was involved. We had some good times.”Asked if he intends to play on, the midfielder said with a smile: “Definitely. I’ve just had Real Madrid on the phone there before I came in.”

---

• Jordan Jones equaliser rescues point for Kilmarnock at Celtic Park• Ten-man Hamilton Academicals battle to 3-1 win at Dundee Celtic levelled their own 100-year-old British record of 62 domestic games unbeaten with a 1-1 draw at home against Kilmarnock. However, Celtic saw their lead at the top of the Premiership reduced to one point
18 January 2019 News Archive | Daily Mail Online | Daily Mail

---

Barcelona vs Liverpool: How Virgil van Dijk saved Celtic from further embarrassment in the 6-1 hammering at the Nou Camp Joe Ledley, the Dutchman's former Hoops team-mate, insists it would've been
~ Barcelona vs Liverpool: How Virgil van Dijk saved Celtic

---

Fulham 0-3 Manchester United: Red Devils move into top four

---

Richard Dunne says John Stones has improved his concentration and strength under Pep Guardiola and believes those attributes have set the Manchester City defender on course to become one of the
Aymeric - News Search - AIOIS - All-in-one Internet Search

---

Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea, Real Madrid and rest - deals and signings Daily Mail Arsenal Goalkeeper Closing In On£3m Napoli Transfer The Wistle; Arsenal handed boost in their pursuit of French midfield destroyer footballfacts.net; Arsenal in pole position to sign€50m-rated La Liga midfielder balkantalk.com
Transfer Centre - Football Transfers News & Rumours | Sky Sports

---

THIS is the shocking moment a fan is knocked out cold after a mass brawl erupts outside Turf Moor. Burnley's 2-0 win over Cardiff descended Burnley and Cardiff fans fight in the street
Burnley launch investigation after footage shows mass brawl

---

David Beckham attempts to lure Barcelona star Luis Suarez to Inter Miami for debut MLS campaign David Beckham has launched an audacious bid to sign Luis Suarez for Inter Miami, according to reports. The MLS franchise, which Beckham owns, will compete in America's top-flight division for the first time in 2020.
David Beckham 'offers big-money deal' to Luis Suarez to join

---

Jack Collison believes Declan Rice can go on to be a West Ham legend if he decides to stay with the club. Rice has been a standout performer for the Hammers this season and is widely considered
Declan Rice can be a West Ham legend - Collison

---

Chelsea transfer news: Everton want to sign Blues defender Kurt Zouma on permanent basis this summer. Zouma, 24, has impressed during his season-long loan at Goodison Park so far would be more
Chelsea transfer news: Everton want to sign Blues defender
hollywoodadviser.com/chelsea-transfer-news-everton-want-to-sign-blues-defender-kurt-zouma-on-permanent-basis-this-summer/
NEW TOFFEE Zouma, 24, has impressed during his season-long loan at Goodison Park so far Everton have told Kurt Zouma they intend to make a move to sign him on a permanent basis from Chelsea this summer, according to reports.
10pm Chelsea transfer news: Blues banned from signing players

---

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is a throwback. He stands in opposition to many of the things we associate, and perhaps dislike, about modern football. The 51-year-old has taken his boyhood club from the foot of League One to the Premier League in less than three years - and he's done it the old fashioned…
Manchester United clear-out: Players who could leave Old

---

Pochettino: I would be 'stupid' to stay at Spurs without a future plan Manager is making waves with Tottenham in the Champions League final Mauricio Pochettino has a big summer ahead (Adam

---

Tottenham defender Serge Aurier has 'returned to training', whilst the club will 'assess' Dele Alli ahead of their clash against Wolves on Saturday at Wembley. The club's official Twitter account
Tottenham Hostpur injury news: Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen

---