Steven Gerrard stunned most fans of Rangers when he decided to leave the Scottish club to join a struggling Premier League side, Aston Villa.
Before he decided to leave Rangers, the former Liverpool midfielder had led the Scottish side to the top of the league table which means that he was on the verge of winning the league for the second successive time.
However, Steven Gerrard felt it was better to be a coach of a struggling Premier League side than to be a coach of a Scottish side who are on the verge of winning the league.
Recall that Aston Villa sacked coach Dean Smith due to a poor run of games which forced the club to sink to the 16th spot on the league table with 10 points in 11 games.
Smith who has been appointed the coach of Norwich City 8 days after Villa sacked him, won only three games with Villa this season and the club is two points away from the relegation zone.
Despite the circumstances surrounding Aston Villa, Steven Gerrard who was seen as the potential replacement of Liverpool’s coach Jurgen Klopp decided to sign a three-and-a-half-year deal with Villa.
In a chat with Aston Villa TV, Steven Gerrard described his decision to accept the club’s appointment as a risk but added that the opportunity to coach Villa was too big to reject.
“Aston Villa sells itself – an iconic football club,” Gerrard said. “I know [it] pretty well from the outside, and I’m very much excited to get involved inside and start building relationships.
“I like a challenge. I like a risk. It’s something I’m really looking forward to getting into. This club will suit me because I know the fans are very passionate and there’s a demand and pressure to win. That’s something I’ve lived with since I was 17.”
Steven Gerrard described the process that led him to Aston Villa as “crazy and very quick”
Steven Gerrard enjoyed a massive success last season when he led Rangers to stop Celtic’s 9 years dominance by winning the Scottish league.
He was on the verge of repeating the same feat with Rangers this season before he decided to jump ship. The English tactician who became the coach of Rangers in 2018 revealed that with Rangers cooperation, the process that brought him to Villa was “crazy and very quick”.
“I was first aware of Aston Villa’s interest on Wednesday, I had a call from my representation, and when the phone call sunk in, I wanted this to happen very quickly because first and foremost the opportunity was too big,” Gerrard said.
“From there it happened really quick. Credit to Villa, the speed they got things done. Not just me, the staff that I’m bringing as well. I must also pay my respects to Rangers, who were very professional in the deals as well.
“Very crazy. Very quick. But when you’re in that situation, the last thing you want is for it to drag out.”
Steven Gerrard in his first interview as Aston Villa manager: “ I wanted things to happen quickly. The opportunity was too big.” Credits Rangers for allowing it to happen pic.twitter.com/sLvRnUY3lT
— Derek Clark (@derekclarksport) November 15, 2021
Steven Gerrard will commence his managerial career at Aston Villa on Saturday, November 20, when the club host Brighton at Villa Park. The Premier League club will kick off at 16:00.
Before this year ends, Gerrard would lead Aston Villa to play against his former club, Liverpool, and then Manchester City, Leicester City, and Chelsea.
