Steven Gerrard leaves Rangers to take Aston Villa head coach position

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has confirmed he will be moving to Aston Villa.

Aston Villa have confirmed the appointment of Steven Gerrard as their new head coach.

The former Liverpool midfielder has left his role as Rangers manager to replace Dean Smith, who was sacked last weekend after a run of five successive defeats.

Gerrard guided Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title last season, finishing the campaign undefeated in the league and preventing Celtic winning a 10th championship in a row.

Villa chief executive Christian Purslow said: “The board of Aston Villa are delighted to appoint Steven as our new head coach.

Welcome to Aston Villa, Steven Gerrard. pic.twitter.com/MF8n9CPaYW

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 11, 2021

“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.

“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.”

Gerrard admitted he was impressed with the club’s ambition despite currently being 16th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation zone, with just three wins this season.

“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,” he told the club’s website.

“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 would like to express my sincere gratitude to everybody associated with Glasgow Rangers for giving me the opportunity to manage such an iconic football club. Helping them secure a record-breaking 55th league title will always hold a special place in my heart.

Rangers’ Ross McCrorie (left) with manager Steven Gerrard after he is sent off.

“I would like to wish the players, staff and supporters the very best for the future.”

Rangers expressed their gratitude to Gerrard and his backroom staff and wished them future success.

Ibrox chairman Douglas Park said in a statement: “I would firstly like to put on record my thanks to Steven for his outstanding efforts over the last three-and-a-half years at Rangers.

He has provided us all with some unforgettable moments, not least his delivery of the Scottish Premiership title back to Ibrox last season having not lost a match in the entire league campaign.

“In European competition, he has restored the good name and credibility of our club on the continent and leaves us in a very healthy position on the pitch.”

Aston Villa’s ambitious plans

Steven Gerrard admits Aston Villa’s ambitious plans were a factor in him leaving Rangers to become the club’s new head coach.

The former Liverpool midfielder left his role at Ibrox, where he won the Scottish Premiership title last season having gone undefeated, to replace Dean Smith after he was sacked last weekend following a run of five successive defeats.

That run has left the club 16th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation zone after just three wins this season, but Gerrard is confident the only way is up having spoken to owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

Liverpool captain and man of the match Steven Gerrard kisses his cup-tied team mate Robbie Fowler after winning the FA Cup in 2006

“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,” said the 41-year-old, whom the PA news agency understands has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract.

“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 would like to express my sincere gratitude to everybody associated with Glasgow Rangers for giving me the opportunity to manage such an iconic football club.

“Helping them secure a record-breaking 55th league title will always hold a special place in my heart.

“I would like to wish the players, staff and supporters the very best for the future.”

The job Gerrard did at Rangers, and the one before that with a season coaching the under-18s at boyhood club Liverpool, was what convinced Villa he was the man to take them forward.

Ryan Jack and boss Steven Gerrard celebrating a stunning success in Braga.

Not only did Gerrard help end Celtic’s domination, denying them a 10th successive title with Rangers’ first Premiership win in a decade, but he has had some success in the Europa League, having twice reached the last 16.

“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.”

Rangers expressed their gratitude to Gerrard and his backroom staff – primarily Gary McAllister, a former Villa assistant manager under Gerard Houllier, and fellow former Liverpool coaches Michael Beale, Tom Culshaw and Jordan Milsom – and wished them future success.

“I would firstly like to put on record my thanks to Steven for his outstanding efforts over the last three-and-a-half years at Rangers,” said chairman Douglas Park.

“He has provided us all with some unforgettable moments, not least his delivery of the Scottish Premiership title back to Ibrox last season having not lost a match in the entire league campaign.

“In European competition, he has restored the good name and credibility of our club on the continent and leaves us in a very healthy position on the pitch.”