Steven Gerrard has been sacked as Aston Villa manager.
The club’s decision was announced shortly after Gerrard’s side suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage, Villa’s sixth defeat in just 11 Premier League games.
A statement released after the match read: Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that head coach Steven Gerrard has left the club with immediate effect.
A club spokesman said: “We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future.”
The former Liverpool midfielder replaced Dean Smith at Villa Park on 11 November 2021 and lasted less than a year before becoming the fourth top-flight manager to lose his job in season, after Scott Parker, Thomas Tuchel and Bruno Lage.
It’s game over for Villa boss Gerrard
Sky Sports’ Dan Sansom:
“It was another miserable day for Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard. A poor performance and unfortunate result against Fulham at Craven Cottage left them hovering above the relegation zone on goals scored. Barely 90 minutes later from the final whistle, Villa confirmed the head coach’s departure in what felt like a must-win game for Gerrard, who was already under pressure after seeing his side lose five of their first 10 games this season .
“A fine strike from Harrison Reed, a penalty from Aleksandar Mitrovic and an own goal from Tyrone Mings gave Fulham a deserved 3-0 win, but Villa were poor throughout and their night was summed up when Douglas Luiz being sent off for a petulant header in the second half.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Steven Gerrard’s last game in charge as Aston Villa lose 3-0 at Fulham
“There were loud boos from the traveling fans at half-time and at full-time, while chants of ‘Steven Gerrard, leave our club’ sent a clear and damning message to the Villa board.
“You know and I know I’m in a difficult position right now,” the 42-year-old said in his post-match press conference. And so it proved.
“Villa’s wait for a first win since September 16 continues. Now they will have a new man in the dugout when the next one finally arrives.”
Analysis: Writing on the wall for Gerrard after last step back
Sky Sports’ Ron Walker at Craven Cottage:
“Tell me your game plan hasn’t worked without telling me. Steven Gerrard made one change from the encouraging defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, bringing on Jan Bednarek for Matty Cash. Forty-five minutes after this nightmarish night at Craven Cottage changed.they are coming back.
“It was a stark example of a night when nothing went right for Gerrard or his frail Aston Villa. But in the end it begged too many questions about where his often rudderless side were headed after a sixth defeat from 11 in the Premier League this season.
Image: Aston Villa matches
“Villa have lost key figures to injury this season, but that doesn’t explain their rot. They had enough to produce all but the final ball against Chelsea on Sunday. At Fulham, they struggled to get out of their own half for long periods . . .
“Nor is it limited to this season. Villa have won two of their 11 games this season and two of their last 11 last season, with Gerrard often clearly struggling to define the style, or formation, of his admittedly unbalanced team .
“His mood in what turned out to be his final press conference almost felt resigned to his fate: Gerrard himself didn’t retire, but even he couldn’t explain why he was the ‘man who changed things.
“It was clearly not a question that Christian Purslow or the board could answer either. By the time the team manager left Craven Cottage, Gerrard’s future was sealed, with the man praised for his incredible unbeaten season at Rangers just 17 months ago. Ponder his next move with his shares considerably lower after this underwhelming spell.”
Aston Villa’s remaining games before the World Cup
Brentford (H) – October 23, 2 p.m
Newcastle (A) – 29 October, 3pm
Manchester United (H) – November 6, 2 p.m
Manchester United (A) – November 10, 8pm – Third round of the Carabao Cup
Brighton (A) – November 13, 2 p.m