Remi Garde, Aston Villa Part Ways: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Aston Villa and Remi Garde have called time on the Frenchman's tenure at Villa Park, where the threat of Premier League relegation looms.

The Midlands outfit confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday:

"

Manager, Remi Garde, has today left Aston Villa Football Club by mutual consent.

The Club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Rémi for all his efforts during a difficult period and wish him well in the future.

Eric Black will take over as acting manager until the Club appoints a new manager.

There will be no further comment from the Club at this stage.

"

Garde leaves Villa at the bottom of the Premier League table and staring at the Championship after a dreadful season that started out with Tim Sherwood in charge.

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss was relieved of his duties in October with the club stuck in 19th place on just four points.

Garde's arrival was met with optimism after he took Lyon to fourth, third and fifth place, respectively, in Ligue 1 from 2011-2014. He also made three cup finals in that time, winning once.

However, the Frenchman has been unable to spark a fight for survival—Squawka Football provided his poor league record at Villa:

French football writer Jonathan Johnson issued a damning assessment of his tenure:

"

So, it is official. Rémi Garde's ill-fated time at Villa is over. It literally could not have gone any worse. #LRT #AVFC

— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) March 29, 2016"

Meanwhile, BBC Sport confirmed that Eric Black will take over as interim manager at the Birmingham club until a permanent replacement for Garde is appointed.

The current Villa side will undoubtedly go down as one of the worst sides in Premier League history, having only just surpassed Derby County's record-low 11 points and Sunderland's 15-point season.

Garde's reputation is likely to take a hit after his failure to improve Villa's position or performances, though it will be mitigated somewhat by the difficult situation he had to work with—the club failed to sign any players in January despite reportedly promising him funds to spend in the transfer market, per John Percy of the Telegraph.

As for Villa, a change this late in the season isn't likely to spare them from the inevitable, with Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe not confident that they will win another game:

Their next permanent manager—if they even appoint one before the end of the season—will almost certainly be recruited with the Championship in mind, so expect them to pursue those who have experience with gaining promotion as they seek to bounce back at the first attempt.

Former Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has long been mooted as a potential option, while Burnley's Sean Dyche has also been linked with the job, per the Telegraph's Matt Law:

"

Dyche joins Pearson at the top of Villa's wanted list #avfc https://t.co/urM070tasJ

— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) March 28, 2016"

Hull City manager Steve Bruce is reportedly on the Villa hierarchy's shortlist along with former Manchester United boss David Moyes, per the Mirror's James Nursey and James Whaling.

Whoever is installed as the new manager at Villa Park will have a hugely tough challenge on their hands—one that seemingly proved too much for Garde.