Steven Gerrard has spoken of his pride at landing the Aston Villa job after his shock departure from Rangers.
The former Ibrox gaffer has signed a three-and-a-half year deal at the Midlands giants to leave his old club frantically searching for a replacement.
Gerrard will now be in the dug-out for Premier League strugglers Villa’s home game against Brighton on November 20 - just 24 hours before Rangers face Hibs in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.
In three-and-a-half years at Ibrox he led Rangers to their first Scottish title in a decade and takes his assistant Gary McAllister with him who had a spell at Villa as assistant to Gerard Houllier.
And the 41-year-old said of taking the helm at the 1982 European champions: “ 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.
“In my conversations with Nassef (Sawiris), Wes (Edens) and the rest of the Board, it was apparent how ambitious their plans are for the club and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their aims.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everybody associated with Glasgow Rangers for giving me the opportunity to manage such an iconic football club.
“Helping them secure a record-breaking 55th league title will always hold a special place in my heart. I would like to wish the players, staff and supporters the very best for the future.”
Villa chief Christian Purslow was key in the appointment as he was managing director at Liverpool when Gerrard was captain.
And he said: “The board of Aston Villa are delighted to appoint Steven as our new head coach.
“Since moving into coaching after his illustrious playing career, Steven began by managing and developing top young players in the Liverpool FC Academy which is experience we value highly at Aston Villa.
“He then took the brave decision to test himself in the intense and high pressured environment of the Scottish Old Firm. His subsequent achievement in winning the Premiership title with Glasgow Rangers really caught our eye as did his experience in Europe.
“It has been very clear in our discussions with him that Steven’s coaching ambitions, philosophy and values entirely match those of Aston Villa.
“We are excited he has agreed to lead us in the next phase of our ambitious plans as we look to build on the progress made since Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens took over the club in 2018.”
