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.”

---

Breaking news headlines about Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, linking to 1,000s of sources around the world, on NewsNow: the one-stop shop for breaking news
Chelsea transfer news and latest rumours on Metro.co.uk

---

Vincent Kompany is to leave Manchester City after 11 years of service and 10 trophies at the club. The dominant centre-back has again been a rock for Pep Guardiola's side this season and his final
Vincent Kompany - Wikipedia

---

PFA Player of the Year: Raheem Sterling explains why he voted

---

Wanted: Marcus Thuram. Manchester United are involved in a three-way battle with Tottenham and Arsenal to sign Guingamp forward Marcus Thuram. Marcus, who is the son of French World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, has caught the attentions of the Premier League heavyweights after dazzling in Ligue 1.
Arsenal transfer gossip: Denis Suarez latest as new name

---

CHELSEA are preparing for life after Eden Hazard and reportedly sent scouts to watch João Félix, Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias in Wednesday's Lisbon derby, according to reports. But Benfica have recently slapped a staggering £105m price tag on their starlet who has been having a breakthrough season.
Chelsea send scouts to watch 'Hazard replacement' Joao Felix
fashionmodelsecret.com/sport/chelsea-send-scouts-to-watch-hazard-replacement-joao-felix-ruben-dias-and-bruno-fernandes/
Chelsea send scouts to watch 'Hazard replacement' Joao Felix, Ruben Dias and Bruno Fernandes 02/08/2019 But Benfica have recently slapped a staggering £105m price tag on Felix, who has been having a breakthrough season.
Chelsea 'send scouts to watch Portuguese trio in Lisbon derby

---

West Ham United fan throws horse manure at Birmingham City supporters prior to FA Cup clash at London Stadium A West Ham United fan was caught throwing horse manure at Birmingham City supporters before their FA Cup clash on Saturday afternoon. The Hammers progressed to the fourth round of the famous.. talkSPORT - Published on January 6, 2019
~ Newport County 2-1 Leicester City: Marc Albrighton handball

---

Egypt to replace Cameroon as host of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Cameroon was stripped of hosting rights because of security concerns and the slow pace of preparations.
Cameroon reacts to losing hosting rights for the 2019 Africa

---

Celtic star Kieran Tierney has potential to be world-class, says Stiliyan Petrov The Hoops and Scotland star is on a long-term deal at Parkhead until 2023 but that has not stopped speculation
Kieran Tierney #63 News, Stats, Photos - Celtic - Football

---

Premier League Match Report for Newcastle United v Huddersfield Town on 23 February 2019, includes all goals and incidents. Have your say on the game in the comments. almost saw Almiron claim
Premier League official news, stats, results & videos

---

REPORT: Joshua King hits brace as Chelsea drop out of top four after heavy loss; Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri accepted that he may not be able to motivate his players as he battles to save his job
State of play at Chelsea after Bournemouth humiliation

---

Tottenham Hotspur made a mistake in not signing Gonzalo Higuain last summer, Dean Saunders has claimed in a bizarre attack on Spurs' transfer activity.. Higuain looks set to wrap up a move to Chelsea this week as the Blues will take the Argentine on loan for the rest of the season.
Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Higuain would have joined Spurs

---

Liverpool transfer news: When West Ham star and Reds target Felipe Anderson admitted his 'dream' to play for Manchester United 24th May 2019 News Puddle 0 Comments talkSPORT Spread the love
When West Ham star and Reds target Felipe Anderson admitted

---

Everton's Andre Gomes has been charged with violent conduct after his tackle on Aleksandar Mitrovic during Saturday's Premier League defeat at Fulham, the Football Association has announced.
Everton midfielder Andre Gomes charged by FA after 'stamp' on
sportsalert.org/2019/04/15/everton-midfielder-andre-gomes-charged-by-fa-after-stamp-on-aleksandar-mitrovic/
CHARGED Gomes appeared to stamp on Mitrovic in stoppage time in an incident which was not seen by referee Lee Probert Everton's Andre Gomes has been charged with violent conduct after his tackle on Aleksandar Mitrovic during Saturday's Premier League defeat at Fulham, the Football Association has announced.
Everton's Andre Gomes charged with violent conduct for

---