It's done, and in double-quick time too: Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is the new Aston Villa manager.
Dean Smith was only sacked on Sunday, but the Villa hierarchy have moved swiftly to name an exciting young coach as their new man in the dugout just four days later (take note, Tottenham Hotspur).
Gerrard leaves Rangers having claimed the Scottish Premiership title last season and denied Celtic a tenth in a row, while his return to English football is also exciting news for Liverpool supporters, meaning this is an appointment that affects three fanbases and has of course led to mixed emotions.
Welcome to Aston Villa, Steven Gerrard. pic.twitter.com/MF8n9CPaYW
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 11, 2021
Aston Villa get their man as Steven Gerrard seals his move to Villa Park.
— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) November 11, 2021
As reported earlier this week, once Gerrard made it known he wanted to move - Rangers were not going to stand in his way.
Official move came Thursday morning, by which point terms were already done. https://t.co/zmZjJik43U
Steven Gerrard confirmed as Aston Villa's new head coach.
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) November 11, 2021
A move he has carefully worked towards rather than rushed into, and one he is certainly ready for.
His identity as a manager is fully formed and doesn't hinge on his status as a player. He'll relish the new pressures
Morelos: “Señor Gerrard! What’s going on?”
— Simpsons SPFL ??????? (@SimpsonsSPFL) November 11, 2021
Rodgers: “Let him go, Alf. He knows what he’s doing.” pic.twitter.com/0wOsPWfIS1
Once the excitement of the initial announcement had settled down somewhat, attentions turned to when Gerrard will face his former club and make an emotional return to Anfield.
Spoiler alert: It's 11 December - Liverpool vs Aston Villa at Anfield.
Liverpool face Rafa Benitez's Everton (Dec 1) and Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa (Dec 11) within the space of two weeks! Narrative overload.
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) November 11, 2021
Steven Gerrard’s return to the Premier League confirmed. Great opportunity for him to build on the outstanding job he did at Rangers. Villa travel to Anfield on December 11. He’s guaranteed some reception. https://t.co/REuVKt7M1u
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) November 11, 2021
We’re going to have to beat Gerrard on his anfield return pic.twitter.com/Ru3JiVEp3d
— Josh? (@_lfcjosh) November 11, 2021
Others - especially the Liverpool faithful - were quick to point out the unusual length of the contract Gerrard had signed at Villa Park, and what the connotations of that might be.
The former England international has penned a two-and-a-half year deal with the Villans, meaning his contract would run out in the summer of 2024 should he see it out - the same time as a certain Jürgen Klopp.
Gerrard has long been touted as a potential successor to the hugely successful Klopp, as long as he could prove he was a worthy replacement. He's not done a bad job so far.
#LFC fans have a new second team.
— amar singh (@amarjourno) November 11, 2021
It will be fascinating to see how Gerrard gets on in the more competitive Premier League. That Villa squad has plenty of potential. A good two and half years at Villa and he would expect to be in the reckoning to replace Klopp in 2024. https://t.co/82cAfMWBGH
Genuinely think Steven Gerrard’s appointment at Villa is hugely exciting for all parties. A great club for Gerrard himself to develop as a coach and he has proven what he can do for them at Rangers. Liverpool will have one eye with Klopp/Gerrard’s contracts ending in 2024…?
— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) November 11, 2021
Steven Gerrard to Liverpool in 2024 post Klopp is either football's worst kept secret or football's biggest chain of coincidental events.
— ? (@Shannxo) November 11, 2021
Anyway up the Villa https://t.co/KD771lMQXG
Breaking on @SkySportsNews: Steven Gerrard is expected to be named as Aston Villa’s new manager in the next 48 hours on a deal until summer 2024 (when Klopp’s deal ends, notably). Talks over backroom staff joining him, SG had dinner with Christian Purslow in London last night.
— Andrew Dickson (@mrandrewdickson) November 11, 2021
On the other side of the border, there was inevitable sadness as the Gers' title-winning manager headed for pastures new, having routed Celtic's attempts to win ten in a row.
'Gutted' was even trending on Twitter, and many called for ' bag of cans and Gerrard back'.
A want a bag a cans, a want Steven Gerrard back as well ?
— Daryl Todd (@DarylTodd2) November 11, 2021
Feel like pure shit just want Gerrard back x pic.twitter.com/eityhYMyIH
— Briony Painter (@BrionyPainter) November 11, 2021
Thank you Steven Gerrard for all the great memories
— James (@jamesrfc87) November 11, 2021
I’m gutted he has left us and the timing of it isn’t great either however this man took us out of an absolute clusterfuck and delivered 55
Best wishes to him
There’s no one bigger than the club ?⚪️? pic.twitter.com/nvp9hwkrfX
Gutted that Gerrard has left but thankful for the job he's done since he arrived at Rangers. Gave me one of the happiest football moments of my life last season when I was going through a tough time personally. Wish him nothing but the best. We move on. #RangersFC #WATP ?⚪️? pic.twitter.com/UjWFUmryjW
— ᴡᴇꜱ ᴘ (@WesPringle) November 11, 2021
Gutted today thank you for the memories Stevie G ?⚪? pic.twitter.com/YwMJ1E6QY4
— Kelly Cook ?❤?♀️????????? (@zippy30) November 11, 2021
Gutted to see Stevie G go. But the way he has gone about it hurts a bit.
— Gordon_Stewart ⚓ (@GordonStewart_) November 11, 2021
For the neutral, though, there is excitement at having one of the biggest names in English football history back in the Premier League, along with that haircut you could set a watch to.
Welcome back, Stevie G.
Tell you one thing that isn't discussed enough, Steven Gerrard's hair. The man has not deviated from the short back and sides with a bit on top for well over a decade, going pure skin head before that. Can only assume that like everything in his life, its all about consistency. pic.twitter.com/b17pwnezfZ
— CadWMC (@CadWMC) November 1, 2021
Welcome back to the Premier League Steven Gerrard ? pic.twitter.com/wEodqZU3PG
— CFC-Blues ⭐️⭐️ (@CFCBlues_com) November 11, 2021
Source : 90min