November’s international break put matches at club level on a short break. Even so, activity at the club is not really a holiday, because there are clubs that change coaches. One of them is Aston Villa, a Premier League contestant club. Last week, the Birmingham club parted ways with Dean Smith, following five straight league defeats. Instead, they targeted Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who both have coaching experience.
Lampard had coached Derby County and Chelsea, before being replaced by Thomas Tuchel. The figure who is still without a club was able to bring Derby to the promotion play-offs, and guide Chelsea to the FA Cup final, plus qualifying for the Champions League in his first season.
Gerrard, who started his coaching career at Liverpool’s academy, as he did when he played, then moved to Glasgow Rangers. Here, The Gers was able to bring the Scottish League champions, and performed quite well in the Europa League. Thanks to the success of breaking Glasgow Celtic’s dominance in this league, the name Stevie G was then predicted to be a substitute for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in the future.
However, the plot of the story then changed slightly, after the former Liverpool captain decided to move to Aston Villa as of Thursday (11/11). True, the former LA Galaxy player returns to the Premier League, with a contract period until 2024. Maybe, some people will feel a little confused at first. Why wasn’t Lampard chosen?
The answer may vary, but one thing is for sure, Gerrard tends to be preferred by The Villans, because there is a Christian Purslow figure there. The Aston Villa CEO worked with Liverpool a decade ago, when Gerrard was still captain of the team. Purslow, who was then a member of Liverpool’s board of directors, became a successful negotiator who saved the club from bankruptcy, as well as witnessing the beginning of the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) ownership era which is still ongoing today.
Soon after, the English businessman stepped down and served on the Chelsea board of directors (2014-2017) before finally landing at Aston Villa, and helping the seven FA Cup holders to return to the highest caste.
The Purslow-Gerrard partnership that had existed at Anfield in the past could indeed be a key factor. But, looking at the situation, Gerrard is clearly a safer option than Lampard, because Gerrard has proven quite successful with Rangers in the highest caste, with relatively limited capital. This is different from Lampard, who had spent a lot of money, but was sacked because of his poor performance with Chelsea. This minor record made him unlucky, especially when there was an vacant coach seat at an English Premier League club.
Previously, Lamps had also been approached by Crystal Palace, but the London club finally chose Patrick Vieira, the former Arsenal captain, to replace the retiring Roy Hodgson. Back to Gerrard. His arrival at Villa Park will of course make the Premier League competition more lively. For this one thing, at least a rousing welcome has been given by Liverpool supporters in cyberspace. Incidentally, the Lions will meet Liverpool at Anfield next month.
Since the 41-year-old’s coaching career is still relatively green, there may be some doubts about him. However, there will be more room for him to develop, because the pressure at the club that won the Champions League in the 1981/1982 season is not as crazy as it is in the big clubs of the current era of the English League.
Although it will make Liverpool fans stuck in nostalgia when they meet, Gerrard’s presence as a coach is a good signal for English football. Another potential local youth coach appears, in the Premier League’s highest caste competition, after Eddie Howe was previously appointed as Newcastle United coach.
With a large number of top-notch coaches from various countries competing, the work with Emiliano Martinez et al in the Premier League could be the most perfect “final test” for Gerrard, to hone his skills, as well as prove, the term “Liverpool’s future coach” pinned on him is indeed not the case. origin of sound. The journey there is not far away, however, the most difficult point of the journey has just begun to be tread.
ASL
