Steven Gerrard looked and sounded like a man who knew what was coming when he made his final appearance as Aston Villa manager following the humiliating defeat at Fulham.
Gerrard told the media: “You know – and I know – that I am in a very difficult position” after Villa’s abysmal display at Craven Cottage was followed by a long, excruciating walk in front of furious visiting fans demanding his dismissal.
Moments later Gerrard’s position moved from difficult to impossible when he was informed by Aston Villa’s hierarchy he had been dismissed.
Villa’s supporters had their wishes granted shortly after the final whistle as a reign that began with such optimism in November 2021 following Gerrard’s move from Rangers concluded in a serious blow to the 42-year-old’s personal pride and his managerial reputation, the official confirmation coming at 10.45pm.
Gerrard’s position had been precarious for weeks, with poor results adding to the uneasy nature of his relationship with Villa’s support, who surprisingly simply never warmed to a personality who had deservedly won a reputation as an inspirational leader as Liverpool captain and manager at Ibrox, where he achieved iconic status for stopping Celtic winning 10 titles in a row.
In his time at Villa Park, Gerrard succeeded sacked Dean Smith with the club 16th in the Premier League and two points off the relegation zone. He leaves with Villa in 17th position, level on points with Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are in the bottom three.
Gerrard has been undermined by the most basic football currency of all. Results and performances.
In 38 Premier League games, the equivalent of an entire season, Gerrard’s Villa won only 12 games and lost 18, garnering a total of just 44 points.
