Glenn Whelan: I bear no grudge over Aston Villa exit
Glenn Whelan bears no grudge over his Villa exit despite finding out he was being released by voicemail.
The 35-year-old midfielder was among eight players whom the club decided not to offer fresh terms following last month’s promotion to the Premier League.
But Whelan, who is currently with the Republic of Ireland on international duty, has revealed he missed the call from boss Dean Smith informing him of the decision.
He said: “There was only one disappointment for me. I went away on the Tuesday with the family and when I landed back in here 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, a key man in Villa’s late season charge to win promotion through the play-offs, insists he and Smith 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.
"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."
Villa won promotion by beating Derby in the Championship play-off final.
Whelan, who joined the club from Stoke in 2017, continued: "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."
