English Premier League outfit Aston Villa have sacked manager Steven Gerrard following Thursday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at Fulham.
A club spokesman said: “We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future.”
The Villains have won only two league matches after matchday 12 this season. They are only above the relegation zone on goals scored.
Gerrard was appointed Villa manager, replacing Dean Smith in November 2021 after leaving Scottish side Rangers. But the Liverpool midfielder guided Villa to just 13 wins from 40 games throughout his 11 months in charge.
Poor performances Gerrard’s greatest undoing
Following the heavy defeat by Fulham, Gerrard told BBC: “Inconsistency has cost us, that’s the position we find ourselves in. I took over the team in a very similar situation. We’ve tried to recruit to get us out of that situation.
“I’m a fighter – it’s in my DNA. I’ll continue to fight unless I’m told differently.”
The 42-year-old was shown the exit door about an hour after saying these.
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Before Steven Gerrard’s sack by Aston Villa, club captain John McGinn said: “It’s embarrassing to be part of. We’ve let the travelling fans down, the manager down. It’s a bad night for us.
“It doesn’t matter who’s in charge of that team. It’s nothing to do with the manager – the players have to look at themselves in the mirror. We’ve definitely not lost faith in [the manager] – it’s us who are responsible.
“He’s a top manager, he’s hurting just as the players are. We’ve let him down tonight. It’s up to us now to put in a performance for him.”
Villa fans sang various anti-Gerrard chants during the game at Craven Cottage.
Reactions after Fulham defeat
McGinn added: “I understand the fans’ frustration. There can be a nasty side to those shouts. The support are very demanding so I can understand the frustration. You’re playing at a top level and if you’re not performing, you get criticised.”
During his time at Aston Villa, Steven Gerrard signed top players to help the team compete adequately in he league. Former Barcelona forward Phillipe Coutinho, French midfielder Boubacar Kamara and Sevilla defender Diego Carlos were some of the signings.
Unfortunately, Carlos suffered a critical ankle injury on his home debut while Kamara is not expected back until the new year. The former suffered a knee ligament injury sustained against Southampton in September.
Sean Dyche, Thomas Frank, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and Unai Emery are some of the names that have popped up as possible replacements for Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.
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