Following on from the departure of former head coach Dean Smith, the massive swell of speculation surrounding Steven Gerrard has proven to be true, and earlier today, Aston Villa announced he had agreed to become our new gaffer.
Aston Villa Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Steven Gerrard as our new Head Coach. 🟣
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 11, 2021
The 41-year-old has experience from Liverpool’s youth setup and then he took the gamble to go north of the border in an attempt to revitalise Rangers. Three years later, added to Celtic’s mini implosion, he had achieved just that and he leaves them for sunny Birmingham sat in top spot and a few points clear – as well as helping them get their hands on the title for the first time in ten years.
With that said though, this is a risky appointment given his overall experience in management but his profile in the game will bring benefits of its own and I dare say, his Academy background will aid the production line we want to foster.
Speaking to the Official Site to confirm his arrival at the club, CEO Christian Purslow explained.
“The Board of Aston Villa are delighted to appoint Steven as our new Head Coach. Since moving into coaching after his illustrious playing career, Steven began by managing and developing top young players in the Liverpool FC Academy which is experience we value highly at Aston Villa.”
Purslow continued.
“He then took the brave decision to test himself in the intense and high pressured environment of the Scottish Old Firm. His subsequent achievement in winning the Premiership title with Glasgow Rangers really caught our eye as did his experience in Europe. It has been very clear in our discussions with him that Steven’s coaching ambitions, philosophy and values entirely match those of Aston Villa. We are excited he has agreed to lead us in the next phase of our ambitious plans as we look to build on the progress made since Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens took over the club in 2018.”
Vital Villa’s Steven Gerrard Forum Thread
For himself, Gerrard said.
“Aston Villa is a club with a rich history and tradition in English football and I am immensely proud to become its new Head Coach. In my conversations with Nassef, Wes and the rest of the Board, it was apparent how ambitious their plans are for the club and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their aims.”
I haven’t seen it officially confirmed yet, but Gary McAllister re-joins the club after his earlier spell with Gerald Houllier and we’ve also brought in Michael Beale, Tom Culshaw and Jordan Milsom as part of the £4.5million compensation package. There’s some strong speculation other members of his backroom team at Rangers will also make the switch, so there should be another few announcements shortly.
Gerrard takes on the head coach mantle on what’s believed to be a three and a half year deal.
The club’s profile wins either way here and we can expect some extra wonga from a few more games being picked as Sky and the other’s try to capitalise on Gerrard’s return to the Premier League, but there will certainly be fans out there feeling unsure about this move as it’s very easy to argue on the face of it that Gerrard is no more experienced or savvy in a dug out than Smith was.
Some will need to be won over, but welcome to Villa Mr Gerrard, let’s hope it works out for all.
Is Gerrard The Right Appointment?
100% Yes
This'll End In Tears
