Gerrard ‘excited, hungry and ambitious’ to begin Villa tenure

Newly-appointed Aston Villa head coach Steven Gerrard has expressed his excitement, hunger and ambition as he embarks on his tenure in charge.  

Gerrard sat down with VillaTV at Bodymoor Heath for his first interview since taking the helm.

And ahead of his maiden training session with the club’s first-team squad on Monday, he admitted he cannot wait to get started following his appointment.

“I think Aston Villa sells itself,” said Gerrard.

“An iconic football club that I know pretty well from the outside and I’m very much excited to get involved inside and start building relationships, get on the training pitch and get started.

“The excitement levels are really, really high. I’m very hungry, very ambitious and the start can’t come quickly enough.”

Gerrard arrives at Villa Park having guided Glasgow Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title last season, completing the campaign undefeated in the league.

The 41-year-old joined Rangers in 2018 following a spell as an Academy Coach at Liverpool.

Gerrard’s journey into coaching and management came after an illustrious playing career in which he firmly established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world for Liverpool and England.

He acknowledges he has been lucky enough to work around a host of elite managers during his time in the game, taking elements and learning from each of them as he creates his own style and approach, putting his own stamp on things.

And Gerrard is enthused by the prospect of now leading Villa into the future and, together as one, embracing everything the club and supporters stand for.

Reflecting on his progression, he said: “I think going through all the coaching courses is obviously challenging and takes its time, but I think the important thing when you are transitioning from player to coach is to start from the beginning.

“I think a lot of players, from what I’ve seen, think maybe because they’ve had a decent playing career they automatically think they can roll into a coaching role or a managerial role and all of a sudden they’re going to be really good at it.

“For me, it was about starting from the beginning and putting the blocks in place; really learning from the start, going away from the cameras initially, taking the youth team at Liverpool, they were a big support to me. That gave me a couple of years of real pitch experience, to get comfortable preparing sessions, delivering sessions and leading the team.

“And then obviously the Rangers opportunity came, which was really big, again, another iconic club.

“And for me, I like a challenge, I like a risk, and it’s something I’m really looking forward to getting in to.

“I think this club will suit me because I know the fans are very passionate. I know there’s a demand and a pressure here to win, that’s something I’ve lived with since I was 17-18 years of age.

“So, for me, it’s about making everyone come together and be unified, and I believe we can do exciting things together.”

Villa fans will see a familiar face in the dugout and on the training pitch following confirmation of Gerrard’s backroom staff.

Gary McAllister and Michael Beale have both been confirmed as assistant head coach, with the former having been assistant to Gérard Houllier at Villa Park in 2010/11 before taking charge for the latter stages of the season.

Gerrard admits the experienced McAllister had nothing but fond memories and positive things to say of his time here.

But he also knows plenty about the club, players, facilities, history and ambitions from his time in the game.

“I think coming to Villa, competing against Villa for many, many years, I know the size of the club, the standards that are already here,” he said.

“I know many of the players, I played for England with a lot of the players, I played with Ashley Young, who I’ve spoken to, I know Danny Ings very well from his time at Liverpool when I was a coach.

“So I’ve done a lot of homework and education around the club, but having Gary as my assistant, of course, he spoke very highly of not just the club – the size, the history and the tradition - but the people. The people are very supportive, they’re very welcoming.

“As I say, the club sells itself, but having someone like Gary with that education and that experience has been valuable.”