Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was sacked by struggling Aston Villa after a dismal defeat at Fulham on Thursday. Photo: Andrew Milligan / various sources / AFP
Sacked! Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard OUT as Aston Villa coach
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was sacked by struggling Aston Villa after a dismal defeat at Fulham on Thursday.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was sacked by struggling Aston Villa after a dismal defeat at Fulham on Thursday. Photo: Andrew Milligan / various sources / AFP
Steven Gerrard was sacked by struggling Aston Villa after a dismal 3-0 defeat at Fulham on Thursday.
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Gerrard paid the price after his team were booed off at full-time by Aston Villa’s furious fans after a wretched display extended their winless run to four matches.
Having won just two matches this season, Villa are above the relegation zone only due to their slight goals scored advantage over third-bottom Wolves.
Former Liverpool and England midfielder Gerrard won the Scottish title as Rangers boss in 2021, ending Celtic’s long period of dominance.
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But he has been unable to build on that impressive work since moving to Villa Park to replace the sacked Dean Smith last November.
Steven Gerrard had vowed to save his job
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Gerrard had vowed to save his job.
“I’m a fighter, I will never, ever quit anything whether it’s football or in life. We will see what happens. I’ll continue to fight unless I’m told differently,” he said.
However, just minutes after Gerrard had spoken to the media, Villa announced the end of Gerrard’s first Premier League managerial role.
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“Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that head coach Steven Gerrard has left the club with immediate effect,” a statement said.
“We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future.”
Former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with the Villa post, along with ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and former Burnley boss Sean Dyche.
Fulham kicked off without a win in their previous three matches, but Villa were unable to take advantage as Gerrard’s final match produced a fittingly depressing result.
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Harrison Reed opened the scoring with a fierce strike from the edge of the area after Villa failed to clear a corner in the 36th minute.
Issa Diop had to block Ollie Watkins’ effort on the line as Villa briefly threatened.
But Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz was shown a second-half red card following a VAR review of an altercation with Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
That was the signal for Villa to collapse to a second successive defeat after last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea.
Matty Cash’s handball led to a penalty that Mitrovic converted for his eighth goal this season in the 68th minute.
Rubbing salt into Gerrard’s wounds, Villa defender Tyrone Mings put Neeskens Kebano’s cross into his own net for Fulham’s third goal in the 83rd minute.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
