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Stiliyan Petrov takes break from Aston Villa coaching role

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments43

Stiliyan Petrov
Stiliyan Petrov

Former Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov will take a six-month break from his role as assistant to Under-21 coach Gordon Cowans.

The 33-year-old accepted the position in May, having retired from playing after a battle against acute leukaemia.

But Petrov says he is not quite ready for a return to full-time work yet.

"I love my new role with the club. However, I have found the day-to-day demands of the job to be just a little too much too soon," Petrov said.

"I love the involvement and I want to continue to make a valid contribution. In order to do this to the best of my ability, I need to take some time away.

"Physically, I just need to build myself up some more before I can throw myself into things in the only way I know how, which is full-on commitment.

"I intend to spend some time with my family and in six months or so we'll assess how everything is then."

Villa manager Paul Lambert said: "I fully understated his position and the club is entirely supportive of his decision."

Petrov made 218 appearances for Villa in all competitions and earned 107 caps for Bulgaria in a 17-year career.

He joined Villa in 2006 from Celtic for £6.5m, having spent seven seasons in Scotland, and also played for CSKA Sofia.

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43 comments

  • Comment posted by declan mcmahon, at 20:29 20 Aug 2013

    If the villa fans think that Stan is a legend then who are we to argue with them? Good luck with getting healthy and living a long and happy life with the most important people in the world, family!!

  • Comment posted by Silversurfer9, at 20:10 20 Aug 2013

    Amanarab, you are right to feel empathy with Stan and no Villa don't owe him a living. However, you find me a single Villa fan on a Saturday that wouldn't want the man helping and guiding our youngsters - they couldn't have a better role model. Stan is the very epitome of what is good about British football.

  • Comment posted by U15413724, at 19:19 20 Aug 2013

    You're a class act Stan. You're right to put yourself and your family first...give 100% effort in getting yourself 100% better first...there rest will follow. Wish football had more like you. I'm neither Villa nor Celtic, but a St Mirren Fan.

  • Comment posted by U15769055, at 19:52 20 Aug 2013

    Enjoy your time with your family Stan
    Only come back when you feel the time is right. Don't feel under any pressure. As a Villa fan I would love to see you back but if that doesn't happen I wish you a long and happy life.
    Thanks for everything Stan

  • Comment posted by grahame, at 20:28 20 Aug 2013

    Perhaps he came back too soon. I hope it is just a case of building his strength up and nothing more serious. Football needs people like Petrov and it shows the true giant that he is by asking the fans to stop the 19th minute tribute as they need to move on as much as he does. I really hope it is not too long before he is seen on the touchline again

    From a Glasgow Rangers fan

  • Comment posted by yemenal, at 19:10 20 Aug 2013

    get well Stan

  • Comment posted by Orkneyboom, at 22:42 20 Aug 2013

    I note post 4 has had a few negative ratings. For those who don't know Paradise is the nickname for Celtic Park. I think Petrov has played more games for Celtic than Villa and he's a legend in the green/white part of Glasgow too. The comment wasn't cheeky.

    Villa, the fans and Petrov have shown that football isn't all about money. A good example to us all.

  • Comment posted by Struds, at 22:14 20 Aug 2013

    What a legend. I'm an Arsenal fan and to say I was almost moved to tears by the show of support for him from the Villa faithful doesn't really do the situation justice.
    Villa oozing class in the way they handles him and his subsequent employment opportunities. One of the few instances of proper class in the modern game that is creaking under the weight of greed and disgrace.

    Spot on.

  • Comment posted by tsojy, at 19:54 20 Aug 2013

    Speaks volumes for the man that he has the courage to acknowledge the need for more healing time .
    Come back when you are good and ready Stan

  • Comment posted by blues12bar, at 00:32 21 Aug 2013

    As a bluenose, but fellow cancer sufferer I wish petrov all the best and a speedy rehabilitation. Best of luck this season as well.

  • Comment posted by Small Heathen Big Villan, at 21:51 20 Aug 2013

    Some things transcend our tribal loyalties, Acorns made me proud of our club, the response of 40,000 week in week out during such a s**t time in the clubs life made us all a special part of a special time ...thanks Stan, you gave us proportion, perspective and alliteration fails me but you let me have a discussion with my kids which I hope gave them insights beyond their years.
    Come on you Lions

  • Comment posted by ryissa, at 20:11 20 Aug 2013

    #10
    I sure he doesn't want you feeling sorry for him. I think Villa deserve a lot of credit for the support they have given to Petrov. Based on the player he was and the man he has shown himself to be throughout his illness coaching the Villa kids is the perfect job. What a role model he is

  • Comment posted by U10523482, at 20:01 20 Aug 2013

    We need more people in football like Siliyan Petrov. God bless and godspeed you back to full strength, Stan, from a Rangers fan.

  • Comment posted by U15362946, at 19:13 20 Aug 2013

    Get well soon

    Would love to see him back in football soon as well, but if not that's fine. His health is much, much more important than that

  • Comment posted by myview, at 10:45 21 Aug 2013

    Doing the right thing here. There's a lot of good living ahead, hopefully in the game you love and have contributed a lot to.
    Just charge your batteries up first.
    Best wishes to Stiliyan and his family from a MCFC fan.

  • Comment posted by Twa Mehns Pehs En An Ingin Un An A, at 10:37 21 Aug 2013

    A very fine ambassador for football, for cancer sufferers and for Eastern Europe. There are many people in Britain who look down on all three; more humans like Petrov would surely change their minds.

    Hang in there Stan - every true fan of every club, we're right behind you and Villa alike.

  • Comment posted by U15510674, at 22:12 20 Aug 2013

    Having to face what Stan has had to face, it's not something anyone can just then switch off and go back to work. It would have made perfect sense for him to have a period off from the start of the season, so taking one now is the sensible thing to do. Family and life should take precedent over football matters. www.myoldmansaid.com

  • Comment posted by WeeWillieWinkie, at 21:25 20 Aug 2013

    Forget about football, this is a mans health. Go Stan.

  • Comment posted by Sportsmad19, at 20:55 20 Aug 2013

    Petrov would be great for teaching youngsters as he was a real leader on the pitch, worked his socks off, scored some fantastic goals and was generally a good all round Premier League standard player. Look how once he announced he was suffering from cancer, Aston Villa's creativity declined massively and shows just how important Petrov was to the team. Hope he recovers as soon as possible.

  • Comment posted by yasuaki, at 19:37 20 Aug 2013

    Having a close relative who has also experienced long fights with leukaemia, its easy to understand the wish to get back involved vs the physical ability to do so. But I think his determination will get him there and help him to heal in the long run. Either way he'll be in Villa fans' hearts and minds for a long time to come - not because of the illness but for being a great asset to the team.

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