Steven Gerrard - 'I'm immensely proud to become Aston Villa's new head coach.'

Gerrard has taken over the helm at Aston Villa [Getty]

Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard was named the new Aston Villa head coach on a three-and-a-half-year deal yesterday.

Gerrard had been in charge of Rangers since June 2018 and guided the club to the Scottish Premiership title last term. But, the 41-year-old decided to quit his position as Rangers manager to replace Dean Smith at Villa Park.

According to Sky Sports, a compensation of £3.25-4m was agreed with the Scottish club for Gerrard and his assistant Gary McAllister.

After signing the deal at the west-Midlands club, the ex-England midfielder Gerrard said: "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."

"I think it's a good deal for both parties."

Gerrard's former Liverpool teammate Jamie Carragher had his take on Villa signing the former LA Galaxy star.

He told Sky Sports: "I think it's a good deal for both parties, but maybe more for Steven Gerrard in some ways. It's his first job in the Premier League, and to get a job as big as Aston Villa for your first job is fantastic. It gives him a real opportunity to push for European places.

"No manager is ever going to get one of the real plum jobs, so to get Aston Villa, one of the biggest clubs in the country who I class a top-10 club at least, I'd say it's a good deal and a great job for Stevie.

"It would have been a difficult decision because of the timing, I think Stevie would have loved to have won another title and ended four years at Ibrox having won the league twice.

"The fact it's halfway through a season and he's straight into things at Villa may have torn him, but in terms of going from the Scottish Premiership to the Premier League, I just don't think there is a decision, and that is just unfortunate for Rangers and Celtic, two of the biggest clubs anywhere.

"This isn't about how big Villa is compared to Rangers, it's about how big the Premier League is compared to the Scottish Premiership. It's night and day, and any player or manager who gets the opportunity to move to the Premier League would take it.

"When a Premier League club comes calling, certainly the one of the size of Aston Villa, it's a no-brainer."

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