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‘Many managers will want the job’: Aston Villa fans say ‘cleared up’ as manager Steven Gerrard is sacked after dragging the club backwards despite building his own ‘solid’ team
- Aston Villa has fired Steven Gerrard as their manager after just 11 months
- Villa is 17th in the Premier League with nine points – just one point above the drop
- Fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts on Gerrard’s firing
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Aston Villa fans are happy to see Steven Gerrard’s back after he was sacked following a miserable defeat to Fulham.
Ten-man Villa was humiliated 3-0 at Craven Cottage, leaving them 17th in the table and the club back into action just over an hour after full-time.
The former England captain has now been sacked, just 11 months after succeeding Dean Smith at Villa Park, and Villa is targeting former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, with talks believed to have been between intermediaries.
Aston Villa has fired Steven Gerrard (pictured) as their manager after just 11 months
The message on the club’s website was brief. It read: ‘Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that Head Coach Steven Gerrard has left the club with immediate effect.
A club spokesperson said: ‘We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him the best for the future.’
Gerrard originally joined the Midlands club last November on a three and a half year contract worth around £5.5million per season in place of Dean Smith, who was sacked after five consecutive defeats.
Gerrard’s time ironically ended with an own goal from former captain Tyrone Mings
Despite significant transfer expenses, including the imprisonment of his former Liverpool team-mate Philippe Coutinho, Gerrard was unable to deliver the ‘continued improvement’ demanded by CEO Christian Purslow when the former England captain was hired.
His time in the lead came to an end with an own goal from Tyrone Mings, which he ironically removed as club captain over the summer.
Villa fans have been ecstatic on social media at the club’s decision to part ways with Gerrard after a miserable start to the new season, with some even hoping for a promising new manager.
One fan wrote: ‘He had the resources to build the squad he wanted but failed to deliver and underperformed Dean Smith.
“We fired Smith for hitting a ceiling at Villa and Gerrard dragged us backwards.
“I think a lot of managers want the job. The squad is solid, just not in shape.’
A second fan tweeted: “Villa didn’t waste much time tonight, Gerrard’s fate sealed by a Tyrone Mings OG.
A third said: ‘The trend of getting former PL players as coaches after a short management course must end. We need tried and tested veterans. Well done Gerard.
A fourth added: ‘Thought the grass was greener on the other side, Gerrard, well done.’
More supporters also joined in, making fun of Gerrard for his famous slippage against Chelsea, which Liverpool won the title and his decisions as Villa boss.
One fan said: ‘It won’t be a nice goodbye, more of a goodbye greeting’
One wrote: ‘Gerrard deserves the suspension because he thought a center pair from Bednernak & Mings was a good idea.
While someone tweeted: ‘Gerrard slips again! Another simply said: ‘Another huge Gerrard slip.
Another added: “You always felt Gerrard’s future when Aston Villa manager slipped through the game. One mistake too many has simply cost him his job.’