Aston Villa relegated: Mervyn King and David Bernstein quit crisis club as sale talks are revealed

Wolverhampton-educated Mervyn King, who was only appointed to the board in February, and Bernstein have left saying their positions are 'untenable'.

King said new leadership was 'desperately needed at all levels'.

This afternoon, a Villa statement said: "It is with regret that Aston Villa Football Club today announces the resignations of Mervyn King and David Bernstein as directors of the Club.

"The Club would like to thank both for all their efforts throughout their short time as members of the Board.

"A search to appoint a new manager remains a priority.

"The Chairman, Steve Hollis, is currently engaged in extensive negotiations in relation to the sale of the Club.

"Brian Little will continue to advise the Chairman on all football related matters."

The club's fate was sealed on Saturday when they were relegated from the Premier League with a 1-0 defeat against Manchester United.

Mervyn King's letter said 'new leadership was desperately need to change the culture and capacity of the club at all levels'.

A copy of Bernstein's resignation letter to chairman Steve Hollis was obtained by the BBC.

It read: "I have been in office for only a few weeks. I was invited on to the Board to oversee a much needed review of the football side of the Club, including all aspects of operations at Bodymoor Heath.

"Following this, I was to lead the implementation of this review and the ongoing management of football at Aston Villa. To this end, a football board was created consisting of four people with considerable football and relevant experience.

"For this new structure to work, it required all at the Club to accept new disciplines, clear reporting lines and to adhere to the authority delegated to the new football board.

"Unfortunately, it has proved impossible to implement the agreed structure and my position has quickly become untenable. The issues at the Club are fundamental and the solutions are radical and do not lend themselves to compromise.

"I am very sorry it has come to this and wish the supporters and employees every success in the future as the club grapples with the challenges of life in the Championship."

King, the Lord of Lothbury, is a life-long supporter, having developed a passion for Villa while living in Wolverhampton.

He moved to the city as a child when he relocated from Buckinghamshire and was educated at Warstones Primary School and then Wolverhampton Grammar School.

His dad, Eric, was a secondary school teacher at the former Robert Street Secondary Modern in Lower Gornal, while the family were based at Canterbury Road in Penn.

Speaking at the time of his appointment, King said: "It is a privilege to be asked to serve as a director of this great club.

"I watched my first match at Villa Park more than 55 years ago, and have experienced the highs and the lows since then.

"I shall do my best to help the rebuilding of Aston Villa as together we return it to its position as one of the top clubs in the world."

His appointment came a month after Birmingham-based businessman Steve Hollis became the club's new chairman, replacing owner Randy Lerner.

Hollis said at the time: "I was delighted when Mervyn agreed to join the board. His dedicated support for the club is well known.

"Mervyn successfully steered the Bank of England through the most turbulent economic headwinds in living memory.

"His appointment to the board is a huge boost as we plan our path back to more successful times."

Bernstein, the former Manchester City and FA chairman, was recruited as a director in March.