Steven Gerrard has been confirmed as the new manager of Aston Villa on a three-and-a-half-year deal, replacing Dean Smith.
The former Liverpool captain returns to the Premier League after guiding Glasgow Rangers to the Scottish Premiership last season.
Smith was sacked following a run of five successive defeats for Villa, who lie 16th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation zone.
41-year-old Gerrard broke Celtic's stranglehold on the Scottish Premiership with Rangers, but the allure of the Premier League has proved impossible to resist.
"Aston Villa is a club with a rich history and tradition in English football and I am immensely proud to become its new Head Coach.
“In my conversations with Nassef, Wes, and the rest of the Board, it was apparent how ambitious their plans are for the club and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their aims.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everybody associated with Glasgow Rangers for giving me the opportunity to manage such an iconic football club. Helping them secure a record-breaking 55th league title will always hold a special place in my heart. I would like to wish the players, staff, and supporters the very best for the future.”
Villa's CEO Christian Purslow knew Gerrard from his time as Managing Director at Liverpool when Gerrard was a player.
He's delighted to get his man.
“The Board of Aston Villa are delighted to appoint Steven as our new Head Coach.
“Since moving into coaching after his illustrious playing career, Steven began by managing and developing top young players in the Liverpool FC Academy which is experience we value highly at Aston Villa.
“He then took the brave decision to test himself in the intense and high pressured environment of the Scottish Old Firm. His subsequent achievement in winning the Premiership title with Glasgow Rangers really caught our eye as did his experience in Europe.
“It has been very clear in our discussions with him that Steven’s coaching ambitions, philosophy and values entirely match those of Aston Villa.
“We are excited he has agreed to lead us in the next phase of our ambitious plans as we look to build on the progress made since Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens took over the club in 2018.”
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