Premier League laughing stock Aston Villa’s season reached another low point yesterday when directors David Bernstein and Mervyn King quit, weeks into their tenure.

Villa’s relegation was officially confirmed on Saturday following their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United but in truth it had been on the cards for months.

And the news of Bernstein, who said his position had become untenable, and King walking out a month after arriving at Villa Park once again raises questions of how owner Randy Lerner has allowed the club to plummet into the Championship.

Bernstein said his remit had been to effect a restructuring of the club along with the other directors but that “it has proved impossible to implement” and that “my position has quickly become untenable.” 

He said: “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 situations are radical and do not lend themselves to compromise.”

Villa did suggest in a statement of their own that they are closer to finding a buyer, two years after Lerner put the club up for sale.

The statement read: “It is with regret that Aston Villa 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.”

Hollis has been conducting an internal review of the running of the club since he was appointed in January.

Chief executive Tom Fox and sporting director Hendrik Almstadt left last month as part of it.

Bernstein and King were also key figures in the search for a new manager after Remi Garde, who was appointed in October following the sacking of Tim Sherwood, departed in March.

Bernstein headed up the club’s football board and was expected to help lead the appointment of a new boss ahead of next season’s campaign in the Championship.

They have lost their last nine games while Eric Black has overseen three defeats as caretaker manager.

The club are yet to speak to several potential candidates, with David Moyes and Nigel Pearson reportedly among those in the frame for the job.