Rangers have confirmed Steven Gerrard has left the club to join Aston Villa.
Gerrard had been in negotiations over a move this week and both clubs announced the news this morning.
The now former Ibrox boss will take his backroom staff with him to his new outfit including Gary McAllister and Michael Beale.
Gerrard had dinner in London with Villa chief executive Christian Purslow last night ahead of the appointment.
Rangers players were all called into Auchenhowie this morning to allow the club to break the dreaded news.
Now, with some big fixtures on the horizon, Gers will be scrambling to replace their boss, even in the interim.
A statement read: "Rangers can today announce the departure of manager Steven Gerrard to Aston Villa.
"Gerrard moves to the Midlands club having played a key role in the significant growth of the Light Blues in numerous areas during his three-and-a-half years at Ibrox.
"Rangers now has an outstanding, highly competitive playing squad which is capable of both winning and entertaining on all fronts, with the highest of standards now also prevalent throughout the football department.
"In European competition, Rangers have qualified for group stage football for four successive seasons, and knockout-stage football in the last two, improving not only the club’s standing on the continent, but also that of Scottish Football.
"Domestically, Rangers have flourished under Gerrard, with that work culminating in the club claiming their 55th title last season on the back of an unbeaten league campaign.
"He now leaves Rangers with the club top of the Scottish Premiership with a Premier Sports Cup semi-final to look forward to and the opportunity to qualify yet again for the knockout stages of the Europa League still in the team’s own hands."
