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Aston Villa sign Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as coach

Sports Desk, Nov 11 (EFE).- Aston Villa announced Thursday the appointment of former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard as the new coach of the Premier League club.

Gerrard, 41, began his coaching career as boss of the Liverpool FC Academy squad, but left Merseyside in 2018 to become head coach at Glasgow Rangers, who went undefeated last season to win the Scottish Premiership for the first time in a decade.

“Aston Villa is a club with a rich history and tradition in English football and I am immensely proud to become its new Head Coach,” Gerrard said in a statement issued by the Birmingham side.

Villa CEO Christian Purslow, who developed a good working relationship with Gerrard during his time as Liverpool managing director, said that the club was “excited he has agreed to lead us in the next phase of our ambitious plans.”

In 17 seasons with Liverpool, the man regarded as one of the best midfielders ever to play the game won two FA Cups, three League Cups, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup.

Gerrard was named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and won the Ballon d’Or Bronze Award in 2005.

He will be succeeding Dean Smith, a lifetime Villa supporter who brought the club back up to the Premier League in 2019 and guided them to a 11th-place finish last season.

But with the team in 16th place – just 2 points above the drop zone – after a string of five straight defeats, the club fired Smith last weekend. EFE msg/dr

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