Steven Gerrard insists his journey at Rangers was complete before he took the decision to join Aston Villa.
The former Ibrox boss returned to the Premier League last week just days after the West Midlands side sacked Dean Smith following five straight defeats.
The move came quickly and left many at Rangers reeling as their title-winning boss walked out with his side four points clear at the top of the league.
Gerrard said when he was unveiled as Villa boss that he wanted the move to happen as quickly as possible, and he got his wish as he took the reins less than a week after Smith was shown the door.
But while it was a difficult decision, the former Liverpool hero says he couldn't let the opportunity to move back to the Premier League pass him by.
He was reluctant to get drawn into much talk about Rangers at his first press conference, with spiky demands to reporters to keep their line of questioning about Villa.
He said: "I'd appreciate it if we kept the line of questioning about Aston Villa."
But he did insist he achieved what was asked of him at Rangers, a club he still has "immense respect" for.
Gerrard said: "It was a difficult decision and one I've taken with a heavy heart.
"I've built some great relationships up at Rangers and it's a club I've got immense respect for.
"I was given a remit three and a half years ago and we went on a journey and completed that remit.
"Ten days ago the opportunity came to join another iconic club and I think it's important to make sure that this press conference is about Aston Villa.
"It was an opportunity that I couldn't let pass me by."
Villa chief Christian Purslow meanwhile is convinced they have the right man in place and believes Gerrard can take the Midlands side to the next level.
He said: "I think Steven's arrival will reignite the club and push us forward and playing in Europe is something that is an exciting dream for our fans.
"What Steven has promised is continual improvement in our team.
"We were lucky enough to have numerous applications and for Steven to come through that is a fantastic moment in our club's history."
