has candidly reflected on his time at , admitting that he took the job too early in his managerial career and struggled to cope with the fallout from his eventual sacking.
The former Liverpool captain was appointed Villa head coach in November 2021, replacing Dean Smith after an impressive spell with . Gerrard had just led Rangers to a historic unbeaten Scottish Premiership title in the 2020/21 season, which significantly raised expectations for his move to the Premier League.
However, his time at Villa Park proved challenging. After a promising start, results declined sharply, culminating in a disappointing run of just two wins in 11 league matches. A heavy 3-0 defeat to Fulham ultimately sealed his fate, and he was dismissed in October 2022—less than a year into the role.
Looking back, Gerrard admitted that the experience took a significant emotional toll. He revealed that following his dismissal, he went through a difficult period where he struggled mentally, describing how his “head was done in” for months.
Despite the disappointment, Gerrard accepted full responsibility for the team’s poor form. He acknowledged that the results were not good enough and that, as manager, the accountability rested squarely on his shoulders.
The 45-year-old also shared his belief that there had been genuine potential at Villa. He pointed to the team’s performances during his early months in charge and the signings made as reasons why he felt the club could have progressed further had results improved.
Reflecting on his decision to leave Rangers for Villa, Gerrard admitted that he underestimated the step up to the Premier League. In hindsight, he believes he would have benefited from staying longer in Scotland to gain more experience before making the leap.
Still, he was quick to praise Aston Villa as a club, highlighting the quality of the facilities, staff, and overall environment. Gerrard made it clear that he holds no resentment toward the club, instead viewing the experience as a valuable, albeit painful, learning curve in his managerial journey.
Ultimately, Gerrard’s time at Villa serves as a reminder of the challenges managers face when stepping up to the highest level. While the move did not work out as planned, it has provided him with lessons that could shape the next chapter of his career.
