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Top six favourites to become new Aston Villa manager as Steven Gerrard gets sacked

The top six favourites to become new Aston Villa manager is revealed as Steven Gerrard gets sacked following defeat at Fulham.

He leaves having watched his side handed a 3-0 defeat to Fulham on Thursday night, with the former Liverpool midfielder taking charge at Villa Park last November but have gone on to see Villa winning two of 12 Premier League games this season.

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel have already been linked with the role, but NEITHER are interested no matter how much they chuck at them.

Gerrard’s sacking was confirmed immediately after his side suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage – Villa’s sixth defeat in just 11 Premier League games. He was also on the bus back, making it a rather awkward trip home.

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.

“We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future.”

Gerrard insisted he would not quit his role but was given no choice in the matter as Villa’s board acted swiftly to remove him.

“I’ve been sending messages to the fans for the last few weeks because I certainly share their frustration and their pain,” said Gerrard in his post-match press conference.

“I’m someone who is honest. I know that they’re not enjoying it at the moment – I’m certainly not – so we’ll see what happens moving forward. But you know and I know I’m in a very difficult position right now.

“The performance was miles away from what I want, expect and stand for. I understand the fans’ frustration and it was so far from how we looked at the weekend. We’re in this situation, I’m in it to face the tough questions because the reality is it’s not good enough for the club.

“Those decisions are out of my control. I have been around the game a long time, I understand the situation and won’t sugar-coat the situation or give anyone false lines. I want to be as honest as I can.

“We’ll see what happens moving forwards. But football is in my DNA and quitting is certainly not, so we’ll see what happens moving forwards.”

Sky Sports’ Dan Sansom:

It was another dismal day for Steven Gerrard. A wretched performance and result against Fulham at Craven Cottage left Aston Villa hovering above the relegation zone on goals scored. Barely 90 minutes after the final whistle, they confirmed their head coach’s departure.

You got the feeling this was always a must-win fixture for Gerrard, who was already under pressure having seen his team lose five of their opening 10 games this season.

Harrison Reed’s fine strike, Aleksandar Mitrovic’s penalty and a Tyrone Mings own goal gave Fulham a deserved 3-0 victory, but Villa were poor throughout and their night was summed up when Douglas Luiz was sent off for a petulant headbutt in the second half.

There were loud boos from the travelling fans at half-time and full-time, while chants of ‘Steven Gerrard, get out of 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. They will now have a new man in the dugout when the next one eventually arrives.

TOP SIX FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW ASTON VILLA MANAGER

(Via Sky Bet – 8:30am, Fri 21 Oct)
Michael Beale – 2/1
Mauricio Pochettino – 11/4
Thomas Frank – 7/2
Sean Dyche – 5/1
Unai Emery – 6/1
Rafa Benitez – 16/1

(Via Sky Bet – 12pm, Fri 21 Oct)
Ruben Amorim – 1/1
Mauricio Pochettino – 11/4
Unai Emery – 4/1
Sean Dyche – 5/1
Thomas Frank – 8/1
Michael Beale – 12/1

(Via Sky Bet – 3pm, Fri 21 Oct)
Ruben Amorim – 10/11
Mauricio Pochettino – 9/2
Sean Dyche – 5/1
Thomas Frank – 6/1
Unai Emery – 8/1
Michael Beale – 10/1

(Via Sky Bet – 6pm, Fri 21 Oct)
Ruben Amorim – 1/1
Sean Dyche – 9/2
Unai Emery – 5/1
Mauricio Pochettino – 6/1
Thomas Frank – 6/1
Michael Beale – 10/1

(Via Sky Bet – 11am, Sat 22 Oct)
Ruben Amorim – 5/4
Unai Emery – 4/1
Mauricio Pochettino – 6/1
Sean Dyche – 8/1
Thomas Frank – 8/1
Michael Beale – 12/1

Here’s how fans reacted with the top six favourites to become new Aston Villa manager revealed as Steven Gerrard gets sacked…

@B6Lewis: Thank you for your hard work, all the best for the future, up the villa

@Paddy33Singh: Right decision good luck Gerrard wherever you land next but no room for mistakes now Villa need to get the next appointment bang on

@mickdavfc: Still wish him the best and will remain in awe of his playing career, but a big dose of humility will do him the world of good. We move on.

@CraigDawson15_: At least let him off the team bus šŸ˜­šŸ˜­

@VillaNoFiller: No doubt there will be talk of Gerrard needing time from some pundits, but this year has been an abysmal experience. But for one three game run in March, Villa have looked poor since January & even worse this season, with no sign improvement would come. He had to go. #avfc #utv

@bottleofbeer: Arrogant, stubborn, and probably the worst manager in my time as a Villa fan. Hope they made him walk back from Fulham. Do what ever it takes to get Poch #AVFC

@RichGriffiths83: Waking up to see SG gone… It was a gamble, it hasn’t worked. Didn’t help himself the last month or so either with silly press comments . Last appointment for Purslow and if he gets this one wrong , he needs to go to. #avfc

@GeordieCowboyAl: It’s mad how people are lecturing Villa fans about Gerard going. Few games i saw they’ve been dire. If you’ve not been watching Villa play you can’t say they’re wrong just because you admire his playing career or because the media give him an easy ride. He’s a Nu Gen Bruce #avfc

@plantainpariah: As ever, wish him all the best. He can still have a great managerial career if he gets his coaching right. A lot of owners will like his personality/prestige he brings. Complete wrong fit for us in the end but atleast we can now try for a much better coach #avfc

@EmmettAVFC: Dyche. Idc if itā€™s not fashionable, Iā€™m convinced weā€™re going down. We cant score, defence constantly getting worse. We need someone to sort that out first and get the players to fight. Rolling contract and unless itā€™s like Howe, look for the big name end of the season.

@BillBones84: I donā€™t want Dyche or Frank, they remind me of Allardyce and Silva at Everton. I want Poch and Poch only, if you can afford to throw silly money at players like Ings and Coutinho, who offer little, you can do it to one of the best managers in the league #AVFC

@Ryan__Wills: Give it dyche on a year contract or easy pay off. If he comes in flying and proves the neysayers wrong about his ability, great, plod on. If not can then attempt someone else on the larger scale who may become available or wanted to wait post WC

@tom_hartley1: Granted it was SGā€™s job to get the best out of the players and he failed but Iā€™ll be very surprised if whoever comes in get a tune out of this squad. No balance and not enough characters. Throw the book at Poch or Tuchel. So get ready to announce DychešŸ‘šŸ» #avfc

@JBaker_24: I donā€™t care what anyone says, these players are as much to blame as a Smith or Gerrard, no pride, no passion to play for this club at all. Forget whether you like the manager or not, you play for Villa, show some fucking bollocks at the bare minimum #AVFC

@jtccolclough: Iā€™d go for Thomas Frank, Iā€™d like Poch, but not sure how realistic that would be. I think Frank would get the best out of the squad and move us forward.

@Matthew_Stride7: I donā€™t believe in sacking managers before theyā€™ve had 12 months in charge however you just have to look at the investment in the team within that time and unfortunately thereā€™s not a lot to show for it #AVFC

@B6_Dave: Whoever we get should be given at least 18 months, imo, to stamp their mark on the team. I just hope it’s someone who can work and improve this bunch of players cause throwing money at it ain’t the answer. We need an identity, some stability at the club. šŸ¦ #avfc #utv

@craiggregory83: #avfc right decision at the right time, Danks can pack his bags too. Weā€™ve regressed as a team since SG came in, players outcasted and no game plan/shape for the team. Now letā€™s get the replacement right and in place before the WC

@Mike_Land10: Even the end of last season we still at least played some good stuff at times despite the defeats but the summer almost as soon as the whole captaincy & getting rid of players thing happened things got really really bad. He must have lost the dressing room. Must have #avfc

@Villamole1:
Now with Gerrard gone, bigger things need addressing!
The role of Lange and his failed transfer policy!
The role of Purslow and his direct influence!
The role of Nanny McPhee who has been a thorn in the side of Stevie and Deano!
What do Villa do next? Yes man or rip it up? #AVFC

@AVFCTranstweet: Gerrard rightly dismissed & taking the brunt of the fans frustration for the season so far. Letā€™s hope the next manager can get a tune out of this squad, as they shouldnā€™t be immune from criticism themselves given some of the crap theyā€™ve served up. #AVFC

@tdnightingale: Last word before I go out and drink several beers in honour of the circus that is #AVFC: Seeing suggestions it’ll be an anti-climax if we don’t appoint a big name. Seeing big concerns about us not getting it right. As long as it’s a real manager this time, we’re better off.

@TheHolte1874: Thing is, it’s a relief in a big way. But it’s far from good news really, we’re in the shit right now. I worry who we can attract, and who will come. You can throw money at people, but if we don’t look desirable?… This is an absolutely pivotal moment in time for #AVFC.

@david_reed: Morning after the night before, Villa fans. Yes theyā€™re one of the richest owners in the Premier League but to attract a manager whoā€™s in or has been in the Champions League is going to be extremely difficult. 17th in PL almost an impossible sell to those coaches #avfc

@JayVtid: Honestly don’t know, but it has to be a smart decision, not a risk. NSWE won’t lower their expectations or be content with another bottom half finish.

Now you’ve seen the top six favourites to become new Aston Villa manager as Steven Gerrard gets sacked, who should be the successor?

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