Steven Gerrard was at the top of his field in the early 2,000s. Worldwide he was regarded as one of the most competent and complete football players. At the time, his fame was well-earned.
He began playing football at age nine and signed his first professional contract with Liverpool at age 17. After his initial debut in 1998, he became a regular for his team and became a star Middlefield player during the 00-01 season. With the help of his team, he won multiple awards and honours, including the League, FA, and UEFA cups.
Steven Gerrard even became the captain of his team at the young age of 23. With his help, Liverpool won the Champions League title, the first in nearly 21 years. His accomplishments as a player continued until he retired in 2016 as the fifth most accomplished player in Liverpool history.
Yet does his endless accomplishments as a player make him the right fit as a manager of the Premier Club at Aston Villa? Fans are starting to disagree.
Being a good player doesn’t mean he’s a good manager. Placing a former player in a leadership position can be risky, but the payoff can be packed trophy shelves if done right. Yet Steven Gerrard’s leadership career isn’t as rewarding for players as 10bet online sports betting in Zambia is.
Steven Gerrard’s Manager Career
Sometimes, meaning well doesn’t result in producing well. Gerrard once said he wanted to start from the bottom up in a managerial position, which is why he turned down his first position as assistant manager at Aston Villa in 2016.
Initially, this method was successful. He worked with youth in Liverpool before landing a gig with the Rangers, where they won the 2021 Scottish Premier. This initial debut was a success, as Gerrard led the team on a twelve-match winning streak. The Rangers even beat their long-time rival for the first time since 2012.
These successes brought him back to Aston Villa with great anticipation. Yet despite his results with the Rangers, his time at the Villa was less than satisfactory. Over two seasons, the team won only two games and finished in 14th place.
This was a major blow for long-time fans and a rough patch on Gerrard’s managerial record. Some believed the prior coach he replaced, Dean Smith, was dismissed too soon, and Gerrard should have stayed with the rangers.
Gerrard, however, claims that competitive stress is good for him. He believes he has a lot to offer the team in seasons moving forward, with a three-and-a-half-year contract to prove himself. Yet is his determination to prove himself enough to convince fans to back him?
Keeping or Canning Gerrard
Gerrard’s playing career is excellent. Before his time at the Villa, his time as a manager in training showed several successes. Is this losing streak bad luck or proof players and managers are built differently?
Bringing star players into managing possessions has always come with great criticism. It can be considered a form of favouritism, where stars are given positions based on fame instead of skill. Yet, even skilled professionals have bad seasons.
His initial refusal of the Villa position in 2016 may comfort some fans, knowing he didn’t take the job lightly. His time with the Rangers shows positive potential, with many praising his dedication and solid work ethic. His insistence on starting at the beginning can speak to his moral character but not his skills.
Gerrard knows many eyes are on him at this stage in his career and how quickly negative press can condemn him. Though he considers himself trained enough for his current position, Gerrard understands fans may not feel this way. Regardless, he showcases a passionate determination to improve and prove himself to his teams and fans.
We believe it may be too early to call quits on Gerrard. He still has more than half of his contract to complete before he is up for renewal, and one good season could shift public opinion. No manager is without losing seasons and low scores; some losses could be chalked up to a transitional period.
Sacking Gerrard now, however, may not do as much good as fans believe. Switches in leadership can be hard on teams, for better or worse. It involves relearning strategies, rebuilding trust and relationships, and a considerable amount of extra practice.
It can be easier to build success with a known leader who is testing new strategies than with a new leader trying to understand his team. As a former player, Gerrard can understand this balance and work for success in ways we don’t see as fans.
The Verdict
Though his losses at the Villa are unfortunate, we believe it’s too early to call it quits on Gerrard. He has earned some grace with prior successes showcasing his team player and leadership skills. The end of his contract with Villa is still a few years away, so it’s worth the wait to see if this will be the start of another gold or the nail in his career coffin.
