Aston Villa

Steven Gerrard was sacked by Aston Villa after a poor run of form, but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has backed him to eventually return.

They are currently outside of the relegation zone, but only on goal difference and have scored just four goals in their last eight games. WHAT HE SAID: Speaking in his press conference Klopp said: "I don't think we have to worry about Stevie. It was the Liverpool legends second managerial position after his stint at Rangers and Klopp has backed him to return to the dugout in no time.

Gerrard succeeded Dean Smith as Villa manager in November 2021 after leaving his role at Rangers. But the former England and Liverpool midfielder, 42, led Villa ...

The fans are allowed to voice their opinion." He can't do that from the bench." It's nothing to do with the manager - the players have to look at themselves in the mirror. It's up to us now to put in a performance for him." "He's a top manager, he's hurting just as the players are. He will be badly hurt by this experience, alien territory for someone who has been synonymous with success throughout his career. I think stability and patience seems to be running out. The support are very demanding so I can understand the frustration. McGinn added: "I understand the fans' frustration. I took over the team in a very similar situation. Before Gerrard's departure was revealed, captain John McGinn said: "It's embarrassing to be part of. We've tried to recruit to get us out of that situation.

Steven Gerrard went into Aston Villa's Premier League clash away at Fulham on Thursday knowing that he needed four to six points from that game and ...

Despite boasting a lengthy resumé, Rafa Benitez's most recent Premier League posting with Everton left much to be desired and there is a growing feeling that he is now yesterday's man. Also, in terms of his experience and track record in the Premier League, he appears to be the ideal fit. Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery was Newcastle United's first choice to replace Bruce once their Saudi Arabian takeover was complete, but the Spaniard stayed on with Villarreal CF after their UEFA Europa League success and were a surprise package in last season's Champions League. A recent UEFA Champions League winner with Chelsea and beaten finalist with PSG, Tuchel might appear to be out of Villa's reach given their current mediocrity. "A club spokesman said: 'We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future.'" Gerrard leaves Villa in 17th place with just two wins and three draws from 11 matches so far, despite a talented squad which the Liverpool legend had been given substantial backing to construct.

In today's Fiver: A hastily-assembled door marked Do One, Erik ten Hag gets tough and Franck Ribéry bows out.

And, er, a belated congrats to Patrick O’Brien for winning [Thursday’s reallocated award](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/oct/20/the-fiver-cristiano-ronaldo-manchester-united-wolves). And you can always tweet The Fiver via [@guardian_sport](https://ablink.editorial.theguardian.com/ls/click?upn=5OUXPaTM0ijCszdMDtTT-2FQFTLKctakrmOSsofIB3zV176qw4sBYJ4ROtOYaEsgUAwrqUxQe-2FzWsJf6M8BozbFa0qMk6OIvcr36MSjLh8qspcIGVLuyBnOdBkyBAGOOhCWCzxTJXUAPoFzDasfI7pXN-2F0XGPxt84bCQo7FcUWMghHU7ZJUgCZOPKJ2Algc2a8d2krBmgCAu3QoG-2Fx53Y7EQ-2BR4996ShQcY3zl4ewv8Tg0-2BNY64NZUAJHtN341MGKX7j5Z1ejSwKC-2BFNzOLO7gp0cHU40cvMqg-2BfNBujjcQmbsdsXYz-2F8LXRnr-2BSZ-2BMRdWeuhc-2F5XfoeScBdVVZPlYBk-2BB4jQOKzWCdM1VjVf0TU6L9O41XqF1BUJ1n0f6MmDHA-2B6-2Fb0Fwozm4XEQmmDSQR8vNN2DYKJ7BEXi0Xx5WCmDSRZSpBWoaiu6wjKcFTf0CTISYsVNgen47KniYU8fH-2Bl3Tw3hPF7Weox-2BEU2cvK0NhxkP81u6YRGrWgH6qjcSvC9lBLooh5gTzPUeeZcS2jU5Vsl9EA4JkGQbOkJ5KoUlvbK49AUd9Lby98-2BXVnZSJLqAuEhymW9PRV1yiQaKGptRN9M2LrWYHi2lyzZRlWse8yuGLRSaQ94uQ9rJtINREOOeEOQL1MEHEz5clZSP9w0ajM2ZYMTLl2N4LL5jEr7ynBvO8z-2B2cYWp7q-2BMIdkYb4WpLgbBPkkbwyeLctQW9CS804TV8B-2BA9IGfgeCFE3pWISj7FxyYph14PWxg6z-2BwW3sZQvMQYtnMQmVvmTlgavzFVk-2Ba23TKZAssUDTrmuXvC9tnvrCjMLFKymlO5fgkGS-2Bjd2xYUiLMvAg1BV4ISIkCHJeormo96aMzw7CrenLQ5w2-2FsQGL9w0uDDVkgCas6CGwNwDT0XKA9Yi8wtwUfyDWQ9i9y3ItasnKv3-2FNBgfhfvCls7IScpfXNLGuf7eLxXCe77MOxUIfI7djg-2Fw9mEVNkKjJcIB6cvq3-2FDWP-2B38eT-2BaLcsxS89qDuBJF4i3ei0p2LhENDP1iOrWkPbP7GYuWHl5YBF51cO8dj5NArriaKE-2BT7ArylYCNgvUPe6OAKhgarSGVjgI6iufcuVz1gF-2F5KLoPWc4AtyD-2FXwgathT-2FGmpHoogrIhPpUqGtbM-2FUGmWnP5X1MIBgC0NQThHDbUDPnVNnihOyPaVQVQ-2FHoNlN-2F6Gsll4ABqNsZGzdAPXlu6-2BoS8-2FaynsmqFBUu7tFqhTXerFzHs0-2FoNeAWfn99x1CD-2BCIl-2Fsi1Jg9WhvwecWsL8A4USywq3YRC8tY1kVSJ8j0T-2FcuCvEf3DPV-2B-2Bw7h3pYJ9jm0j9iRMuQZ0hvw5FzvpIa6UxUGF3R53pwYmDZ7HJViA5a2W-2FqqxJk9o3x9YH1ImkpA-2BR-2BmyxqMLDHKqlj2WdFuCRk58SW-2FqrYABuzWfJj463KZ-2B6s4GlnhMZ5RLMrjWQhUfYN2E3WbvNlaopaS3QedI3H-2FUnO4JxMNR-2FyjYSw3WshOxoYB9juc7Vvs0Q6vIc4HIegqBjQg3S-2B5v32G-2B-2BsjUmy-2FuYr63CXFP6nijPXWNNKxojHtfNZljorgk-2F-2FwRgPe8eP4sjTK4StK9P6FRjGmnh-2F-2F-2BuYWq0pIN-2B0wDWKeMlDf62kgp3SzrQ0uRcwhDmlNPNvfs-2FdL-2BKsk-2FhzGCQnsJ2xWfnVIo0Mj-2FQF-2Bb7v5TmOROFep8EnbbEkgmKbxJxLbQxROIDYbSpcIgQpmI7bj-2BHQfW-2Fdn4t6AMC3mCmAFpQcTdVNXQir3v-2BnU-2F9c4zHxUToPtksy49F6Jmgvk-2BWCb8GpnAwGD64W3ExB9fUEwmx8MEBDuhCDQYflVhpC2-2BT-2F3dUf-2BQYWs-2BNcmfpQLrmcG5AGFv5lwjsVYkkyuay4BYXCu-2FPYIRf98VHXdmo7LEVbcXkJDd5x2tiXSI72I9x9wIbmjxIqiryWZm-2FdZ0OfZB9OESJcMg-2FJ3-2BJNStqt0dYAU-2FLY9eGreTM-2BAaS5xN4-2BqE3-2B8FSet1QbA4FLsowUZQEOvEls6uACpYXvP-2FqUt2Z7gnttuUtmHuKE-2BRlxIR86OxnMSyfgT4pD-2BUF-2BhUY0RNG-2BeZLDS0ghY8lDHsSfr-2BkIhfqy6YF8i1INSvjxxhN7-_CuGwnUDNLqC-2FZuThtORVj-2B9fqW7Z1GKmvkT50KuoKHDhmjDAuAPLw7c2-2FgDdSSKmDXrjhGtgHUrc5PpEgoK3rM44za-2BDXzcj1VyhFV3RAI1D96Q74mFnqfn-2F118mkltvRORz-2F-2FTZXcNR5u-2BwnnIGc9uDKX3XEExYfqOU2v4yokukFx1rkbcWYTYOt2WWJQNl956gq8s793aOut35BfISiqruxVXFdaS8DEvMxh6pvwdAprFQgmAwJvZ8ylYvaAL3ZGz5RAXOSZq4b3-2FvpB7rN4sXu0E077ZMGOl7-2B8pwWTMySSWRsZ6vf4kgUlQvg-2FnoyxrAOK3X-2FGgiQFZogETdprwsMzQxPyKVMG8U3-2FsNiV4WKH5NhkTIzzil5DBXitWkU7fqAN5XMm8I606LDVfC8ulARXbsSvFnd-2FGV7sv7j6yADA18sevwaTGoKqb01aE1QdrXmBYdevZ-2B-2BTMAAPXircfmWhmR-2B8QJeYJU1FE-2FzUTGhQFFZdFYGeMDF0FuwHcSvxnAPgyoaFBAfFkjJbVXxi-2Fpw8CLCI0zoG0J8FXa15nAdrgS-2Bm2GVhvvYqn1CZp-2FvU8z8nNT80ZGccFx8s9d8vch9GV1wEY-2BMOhvkMOhXRcrYYVMK9LlM6QdlamL4i-2FGWA7tDvI2ZHTVkXjAqPukX3uyPvMUZTbIvJdBMpP9tynHErl8Ywnpzgf7WawA4oH3). Is it funny that $tevie Mbe gave up the sweetest of gigs at Rangers with a potential fast-track ticket back to Anfield? What we’re saying is, give Sean Dyche six months to get things back on track – and after the general election, he can take the Villa job. It was a bittersweet moment for The Fiver – on one hand, Villa getting it done on Thursday has vastly improved our prospects of being in the pub by lunchtime. On the other, this is – believe it or not – supposed to be a light-hearted email, cracking wise at football’s foibles.

Ruben Amorim is among the candidates Aston Villa are speaking to about replacing Steven Gerrard. Villa are looking for a new manager after Gerrard was ...

[Liverpool](https://theathletic.com/football/team/liverpool/). Mauricio Pochettino is currently not open to replacing Gerrard at Villa, however. [Brentford](https://theathletic.com/football/team/brentford/) manager Thomas Frank. Sporting manager Amorim, 37, is widely regarded as one of the most talented young managers in Europe. [Tottenham Hotspur](https://theathletic.com/football/team/tottenham-hotspur/) in this season’s [Champions League](https://theathletic.com/football/champions-league/). [Aston Villa](https://theathletic.com/football/team/aston-villa/) are speaking to about replacing Steven Gerrard.

The former Rangers boss paid the price for just two wins in the first 11 Premier League matches of the season, with only goal difference keeping Villa out of ...

When he joined the club they were 16th in the Premier League table. Minutes later he was sacked in a severe blow to his managerial reputation. The former Rangers boss paid the price for just two wins in the first 11 Premier League matches of the season, with only goal difference keeping Villa out of the relegation zone after the 3-0 loss to Fulham on Thursday.

In April, Klopp extended his contract by a further two years, until 2026. So Gerrard still has time to press his case for the job at Liverpool, ...

It was hard to nail down a specific position for Coutinho, too, especially with Villa having already signed in the offseason of 2021 a player with similar characteristics and playing style in Emi Buendia. His decision to go back to basics and concentrate on making Villa hard to beat after its slow start to the season didn’t go down well with Villa fans, who weren’t impressed even if they pulled out the odd win — like the tedious 1-0 at home to Southampton last month. For Coutinho, it was a big drop in status — his last two clubs were Barcelona and Bayern Munich (on loan), after all. That’s what he’s done in the first few jobs he’s picked.” Wherever Gerrard ends up next, he might want to avoid the same issues he ran into at Villa. Villa never established identity or clear playing style under Gerrard so, in that sense, it’s difficult for other clubs to know what they’ll be taking on if they plunge for him in the coming months. It leaves Gerrard and his managerial reputation in a tough spot.

Aston Villa has issued a further statement on Friday morning, following on from confirmation that Steven Gerrard had been sacked as manager.

“CEO Christian Purslow said: “The Board has come to this decision following a full evaluation of results and performances over the calendar year. Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that Head Coach Steven Gerrard has left the club with immediate effect. “Aston Villa can confirm Gary McAllister, Neil Critchley, Tom Culshaw, Jordan Milsom and Scott Mason have all left the club following the departure of Head Coach Steven Gerrard,” the second Villa statement begins. Aston Villa can confirm Gary McAllister, Neil Critchley, Tom Culshaw, Jordan Milsom and Scott Mason have all left the club following the departure of Head Coach Steven Gerrard. — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) Just 90 minutes after a dismal 3-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage, the club released a 40-word statement which said: “Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that Head Coach Steven Gerrard has left the club with immediate effect.

Gerrard was influential in convincing players to join Aston Villa but did not get the results the investment demanded...

The former [Blackpool](https://theathletic.com/football/team/blackpool/) boss is much quieter and has his own way of working and does not tend to rant or rave in adversity. [James Tarkowski](https://theathletic.com/football/player/james-tarkowski-ljQQBVqF6rzAzHTT/) exactly why he was the right fit for his side but Villa instead looked elsewhere and decided to spend £26million on signing Diego Carlos from [Sevilla](https://theathletic.com/football/team/sevilla-fc/) instead. This was a man who was a winner as a player and what has happened was not part of the masterplan.” [Leeds United](https://theathletic.com/football/team/leeds-united/) when they had 10 men for 42 minutes and bottom-of-the-table [Nottingham Forest](https://theathletic.com/football/team/nottingham-forest/) contributed to his sacking. Media conferences became harder for Gerrard each week and time limits were placed on reporters in an attempt to quell the negativity. [When Beale left for Queens Park Rangers,](https://theathletic.com/3342687/2022/06/01/beale-gerrard-qpr-villa/) Critchley came in as a different type of coach. Villa decided that the overall financial package was too high and Bissouma moved to Tottenham in the summer for over £25million on wages Villa would not match. Most players found that he was honest with them around team selection and there was also a softer, more considerate side, especially when players were injured. He was very hands-on when tracking players and many loved that one of the He won just 13 of the 40 games in charge and over the last 22 Premier League games, managed just four wins. He had two and a half years left on his Villa deal, worth around £4million ($4.4m) a year. Gerrard perhaps sensed that his time was up, answering just four questions in his press conference before confirmation of the news from Purslow.

Aston Villa have sacked manager Steven Gerrard following Thursday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Fulham. Villa have won just twice in the league this season and only sit above the relegation zone on goals scored. First-team coach Aaron Danks will take ...

It’s nothing to do with the manager – the players have to look at themselves in the mirror. It’s up to us now to put in a performance for him.” “He’s a top manager; he’s hurting just as the players are. I think stability and patience seems to be running out. I took over the team in a very similar situation. Before Gerrard’s departure was revealed, captain John McGinn said: “It’s embarrassing to be part of.

Aston Villa are eyeing the Sporting head coach Rúben Amorim after receiving little encouragement from Mauricio Pochettino about replacing Steven Gerrard.

But the permanent signing of Philippe Coutinho, with whom Gerrard played at Liverpool, has backfired while Emiliano Buendía, Danny Ings and Leon Bailey, the trio of players signed to replace Jack Grealish after he moved to Manchester City for £100m, which predated Gerrard’s arrival from Rangers, have underwhelmed. [Brentford](https://www.theguardian.com/football/brentford) head coach, Thomas Frank, has admirers within the Villa hierarchy, notably Lange, with whom he worked in Denmark at Lyngby, but feels he has “unfinished business” at the west London club, who are 10th, and is open to signing a new contract. Sporting paid €15m to land Amorim from Braga and inserted a €30m release clause in the four-year contract he signed in 2020, but Villa are thought not to be deterred by the prospect of having to pay hefty compensation. A run of eight wins from 31 matches this calendar year provoked concern at board level and anger among the fanbase. Villa could offer a large financial package to Amorim, who earns about €3m (£2.6m) a year, but it is unclear how willing he would be to sign up to a relegation battle. Gerrard was relieved of his duties soon after an [embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Fulham](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/oct/20/fulham-aston-villa-premier-league-match-report) but travelled back to Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground on the team bus and said his goodbyes to his players in the early hours of Friday.

Football reacted to Steven Gerrard's sacking by Aston Villa and Pep Guardiola said sorry for chants by Manchester City fans at Anfield.

“Last year we had a really good first half and in the second half it wasn’t good enough and we gave them an opportunity to get back into the game … The only thing we can do is to show him the love we have for him … “I had a short conversation with Steven on the pitch, and afterwards the pitch, but I didn’t know [he would be sacked] when I was at the press conference … the personality is the personality of the players at the moment, absolutely … I’m always a big believer in keeping the manager for a long time, I’m on that side of the story … We hope this will be a big step forward for the region, and the world, and we’re happy to play a big part in it.” (PA Media) we want to get young new managers in and around the league … We all know that the results and the performances have not been to the levels that we wanted. “We have put in a request to Fifa to wear the armband and we’re very comfortable with that,” Mooney said. “The FAW has a view on the world and world issues,” Mooney said. So the message for them is we know that we have to move quickly. “I think Bukayo is fine, he was a bit struggling near the end but hopefully he will be fine for Sunday,” Arteta said.