Steven Gerrard arrived with the expectations of leading the club to compete at the top of the Premier League and access European tournaments.

Gerrard’s record included several very successful campaigns at the helm of Scottish Rangers, with whom he clinched the league title in 2021.

But this season, Gerrard has failed to achieve good results. With just two wins from eleven league games, Aston Villa has nine points, the same as the Wolves, and is at the bottom of the table and at risk of losing their place in the top flight.

“Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that manager Steven Gerrard is leaving the club with immediate effect,” Aston Villa said in a statement.

“We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him all the best for the future,” the statement added.

Fulham sealed Gerrard’s fate in a 3-0 defeat on Thursday night.

Before the game against Fulham started, chants could be heard from the stands calling for Gerrard to leave.

Brentford’s Thomas Frank appears to be targeted by the Villa board to replace Gerrard.

Brentford has performed exceptionally well under Frank, even beating Manchester United. The Villa board believes that he is the right man to lift the club from the bottom of the table.

Gerrard had the full support of the board during his tenure, which allowed him to sign some high-level players such as Philippe Coutinho, his former teammate during his time as a player at Liverpool.

The Brazilian arrived first on loan from Barça and already owned since the summer in exchange for 20 million euros.

Coutinho started out performing at a high level, but this season he hasn’t scored a goal or given a single assist. A drop in performance explains the lousy situation of Aston Villa and the consequent dismissal of Gerrard.