It was a nagging, persistent rumor, it is now official information. Just days after sacking Dean Smith, Aston Villa executives are already holding their new coach. And it is a well-known face of the Premier League pitches who find the English championship. For Liverpool fans he is quite simply a legend (186 goals in 710 games for the Reds). At 41, Steven Gerrard was indeed appointed this Thursday morning at the head of the Villans, nickname of the players of Aston Villa. He initialed a two and a half year contract.
“The board of directors of Aston Villa is delighted to announce the appointment of Steven to the post of coach”, indicates in a press release the club currently 16th of the Championship of England and which remains on 5 losses in a row.
Former iconic Liverpool player for 26 years – with whom he won everything except the title of champion of England – and of the English selection, Gerrard had headed for a coaching career in 2018 by settling on the bench from the Scottish club Glasgow Rangers. A conversion perfectly carried out for the former genius midfielder.
Last year, he allowed the Rangers to return to the title of Scottish champion (the 55th in their history) which had eluded them for 10 years. A season that they had finished undefeated. The club had started again on the same bases since it occupied the head of the championship. According to the Telegraph Football, Aston Villa would have paid compensation of 3.5 million euros to Rangers to secure the services of Gerrard.
For the Birmingham club the situation was becoming critical and it was necessary to act quickly. The Villans occupy 16th place in the Premier League with two small points ahead of Burnley, the first relegation. Steven Gerrard should have the necessary means to rectify the situation. A way also to find the English championship and to make the hand before one day perhaps to train his club of Liverpool. “Gerrard has attracted many admirers to the game for his work in transforming Glasgow’s game while implementing an engaging and attacking style of football,” the statement continued.
“Aston Villa has a rich history and tradition in English football. I am immensely proud to become his new head coach “, reacted Gerrard, seduced by” the ambitious plans “of the club.
The former international midfielder (114 caps with the Three Lions) is expected to make his debut on a Premier League bench on November 20 against Brighton.
