Aston Villa Sack Steven Gerrard After Ambitious Project Falls Flat
Aston Villa dismissed Steven Gerrard as head coach following Thursday’s demoralizing 3-0 defeat to Fulham.
AS reported by The Score, the 42-year-old’s departure follows two busy transfer windows that featured the costly arrivals of Lucas Digne, Diego Carlos, and Philippe Coutinho; Coutinho was Gerrard’s former teammate at Liverpool.
“You know, and I know, that I am in a very difficult position,” Gerrard said after fans called for his departure during Thursday’s loss, according to The Telegraph’s Sam Wallace.
News of Gerrard’s dismissal came just minutes after he spoke to the media. He subsequently traveled back to the club’s training ground on the team bus, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Gregg Evans.
Aston Villa appointed the former England midfielder in November 2021. His tenure started promisingly with four wins through his opening six games – with the two defeats coming against Manchester City and Liverpool – but the club finished the rest of the 2021-22 season with a worse record than relegated Burnley.
After a significant summer recruitment drive lifted expectations at Villa Park, Gerrard’s squad has failed to mount a challenge for the Premier League’s European places.
The Villans have won just two of their opening 11 matches of the league campaign. They sit 17th and are only above the relegation zone thanks to scoring two more goals than Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Gerrard, who led Rangers to the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership title, lasted 38 games as Villa’s boss.
The West Midlands outfit faces Brentford on Sunday.
