Rangers fans are gearing up for an international fortnight of Steven Gerrard links to Premier League Aston Villa as reports intensify around the Ibrox manager.
Villa are on the hunt for a new manager and are said to want to appoint one sharpish with Steven Gerrard a big name on the shortlist for the struggling side [Telegraph].
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has been heavily linked with a move to Aston Villa. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The entire thing is made more complex by the role of Villa CEO Christian Purslow who is well acquainted with Gerrard from his Liverpool days and has been complimentary of the Ibrox manager in the past.
RONALDO NEEDS TO STOP WHINING.
The story is now dominating news wheels north and south of the border as plenty suggest Gerrard could leave whilst others insist he has unfinished business at Rangers.
But whilst others like Roberto Martinez and Ralph Hasenhuttl continue to be linked, it’s the Rangers boss’ name which has most piqued the interest of bluenoses.
Ibrox supporters clearly do not want to see their manager leave with a feeling that there are still a few stages to go before the club’s rebuild from the ruins of 2012 are complete.
But how have the links been received down south amongst an Aston Villa support eager to see their side climb up the Premier League table?
Aston Villa fans don’t seem to want Rangers manager Steven Gerrard as new boss
Out of all the managers linked to the role at Villa Park, Gerrard stands out as the name at the very least being the most discussed by Villains fans.
But whilst some would like to see the Liverpool legend take the reigns in Birmingham, others are sceptical and point to the manager’s record in Scotland.
However it’s clear that over the piece most Villa fans who’ve taken to Twitter on the subject DON’T want Stevie G as their next manager:
The thing that concerns me about Steven Gerrard is he’s won the SPL once & two second place finishes. The best he’s done in the Scottish League Cup is runner up once & hasn’t got past the round of 16 in the Europa League 🏆
In a two horse race, it isn’t THAT impressive 🤷♂️ #avfc pic.twitter.com/60inIY3Zhm
— Total Villa (@Total_Villa) November 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/gnethercottpga/status/1457639836475707395
Exactly. He isn’t good enough for the PL yet. He will be but definitely not yet. I’m sure that Villa must be able to see that. I’m not a fan of Martinez to be fair. International management is different to domestic. Look at how terrible Southgate was for example. #AVFC
— Felicio Domingo (@FelicioDomingo) November 8, 2021
I never liked him tbh great player but I wouldn’t want him anywhere near Villa
— Mattston Villa (@MattcayleyM) November 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/ConanLinds/status/1457682572272717825
Or are we thinking a little more experience in Paulo Fonseca? #AVFC #nextmanager
— The Villa Blog 🦁 (@AVFCBlog) November 7, 2021
I sincerely hope not.
— Paul Brennan (@Brennino82) November 7, 2021
Hope not
— james cusack (@jimcusack27) November 7, 2021
Villans!
Who would you realistically like to see replace Dean Smith at Villa Park?
Let me know your thoughts ⬇️✍🏻💭#AVFC
— Ty Bracey (@TyBracey) November 8, 2021
For the stepping stone to Liverpool in a few years time eh? Haha
— Ty Bracey (@TyBracey) November 8, 2021
Apparently the list is:
1.Frank
2.Farve
3.Fonseca
4.Gerrard
5.Hassunhuttl
6.HjulmandOut of those I wouldn’t mind Frank or Fonseca
— AVFC Barry🏴 (@Avfc_Barry) November 8, 2021
The list of linked names is not great – really worried at the minute not gonna lie
— Villafan (@villafan8282) November 8, 2021
I'll support whoever comes in. But the idea of Gerrard, Lampard or Terry feels like one of the biggest downgrades in the history of Villa. We need a proven manager not someone who is in position simply because of their playing record or won a 2 team league.
— Stephen Bride (@Misterman1982) November 8, 2021
Koeman for me I think. Not really pulled to any of them, just gutted.
— James Merry (@JamesMerry17) November 8, 2021
Not Gerrard
— Jim Hodges💙 (@vanillaman) November 8, 2021
Utterly underwhelmed with Villa shortlist. Please not Gerrard.
— lindsay 🕷💙 (@Zadsy) November 8, 2021
Many of the Aston Villa fans want the likes of Paolo Fonseca, Lucien Favre or even Zinedine Zidane and whilst linking Gerrard gets easy clicks, he’s not a popular choice south of the border.
So whilst a lot of those names might be pipe dreams – even with Villa’s billionaire owners – Rangers boss Steven Gerrard isn’t even that much of a wanted man at Villa Park.
One of the Ibrox manager’s biggest Liverpool allies has also branded Aston Villa a “great move” when asked about potential Gerrard interest.