Steven Gerrard selected as Dean Smith’s successor at Aston Villa

One of Liverpool’s greats, Steven Gerrard, will get his first stint in the English Premier League as a manager with Aston Villa, who have wasted no time during this international break to replace previous boss, Dean Smith.

On Thursday, Aston Villa publicised the appointment of Steven Gerrard; raised in Merseyside, successful in Ibrox, poached by those in Birmingham, who have now offered the former Red a three and a half year deal.

The deal in return has seen Villa’s hierarchy pay a compensation fee between £3-4m for him to terminate his contract prematurely with the recently crowned champions of the Scottish Premiership — this further displays how much Aston Villa wanted him West Midlands.

He will be joined by assistants Gary McAllister and Michael Beale; the latter working with Gerrard since his Liverpool days and the former, a former Villain himself and has also been working with Gerrard since his Liverpool days.

Gerrard versus his predecessor Dean Smith

The English Premier League can never be compared to the Scottish Premiership, which we can all agree on. However, Gerrard’s managerial career has gotten off to a flying start if you look at his numbers since June 2018 — and what he did last season — must not be seen as an easy feat.

Bringing the Glasgow side to the top of the table for a record-breaking 55th title win and doing it without losing a match, certainly makes him one of the most promising young managers in the game today.

Including last season, Gerrard’s side has scored way more than what they have conceded, something Aston Villa have struggled with predominantly under Dean Smith — something surely to be worked on first — the defensive problems at the back.

Steven Gerrard left Rangers in a good place

Stevie G’s former team are on the hunt for their replacement but the club has some breathing room while they search for a new man to take over at the helm. The Teddy Bears are currently sitting at the summit and leading the rest of the pack by four points.

Rangers are still more than capable of qualifying for the knockout phase of the Europa League, sitting third but level on points with Sparta Prague, who they meet next for Matchday 5 of the competition and on their return to club action.

Adding one more good deed Steve leaves with them is a Premier Sports Cup semi-final, which was confirmed for Sunday, 20 November, against Hibernian.

They will be hoping to name one of two: Swanswer City’s manager Russell Martin or free agent Giovanni van Bronckhorst — both of whom were former Rangers in their playing days and fit the young mould the club is searching for so they can continue Steven Gerrard’s great work.