I think Paddy Berger knew he was on the way out of Villa anyway so he had nothing to lose by speaking honestly.ONeill is just using this as an excuse to get rid of Paddy.
Without a doubt mate. Here's one of the original articles published when Berger first made his comments:
Barry is leaving Villa - BergerPatrik Berger believes Gareth Barryās exit from Villa this summer is inevitable - as Arsenal looked poised to join the bidding for him.
Liverpool are favourites to sign Barry and the signs are the Reds are the Villa captainās preferred destination as they look to replace Xabi Alonso, who is set to leave Anfield.
But Arsenal, who will lose Mathieu Flamini in the summer, are also interested and are likely to match Liverpoolās bid.
Chelsea are also in the frame, especially if Frank Lampard seeks a way out of Stamford Bridge.
With all potential suitors offering Championsā League football, Barryās future could now come down to who tables the most lucrative offer to him.
Villaās former Anfield favourite Berger, who won three cups with Liverpool in 2001, insists Barry should join Rafa Benitezās side.
āGareth knows my opinion - Iāve told him, itās Liverpool and if I was in his position Iād go there tomorrow,ā said Berger.āItās the opportunity of a lifetime. Iād go and experience it. Heās the heart of our team and it would be a massive challenge for him.
āIt would be Champions League every year and heād be challenging to win trophies every year.Liverpool doesnāt come after you every year. But Iām not surprised they want to sign him.
āThey want him because heās had a fantastic season and he played very well for the national team as well.ā
Out of contract Berger also revealed he is quitting Villa for possibly one last Premier League hurrah. Portsmouth are interested.
āI havenāt decided yet but Iām looking to spend at least another year in the Premier League with another club before going home,ā he said.LINKHe was already on his way well before he made these comments. All O'Neill actually said was that he won't be playing a part in proceedings due to his comments, meaning the last game of the season, no mention of this being the reason he is leaving the club. The media, as usual, have jumped on this story & tried to turn it into something it isn't, saying that his comments are the reason he's leaving the club when they're clearly not.