Gerrard admits 'it wasn't meant to be' at Aston Villa as Liverpool legend posts farewell message

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has posted a farewell message after being sacked by Aston Villa on Thursday night following their 3-0 loss to Fulham.

The result means the Villans have won just two of their first 11 games of the 2022/23 campaign.

Goal difference is the only thing keeping the Midlands side out of the Premier League relegation zone.

Gerrard wrote on Instagram: "I would like to thank everyone connected with Aston Villa Football Club, for the support they have shown me during my time there.

"I personally want to thank the board, the players and all the staff for their hard work.

"To the fans, it's unfortunate that it didn't work out in the end, but I owe you a debt of gratitude for the way you welcomed me into your club and continued to push the team into difficult times.

"Aston Villa are a club with a special history, I really wanted to bring back those memorable achievements, unfortunately that was not the case. I wish the whole club all the best for the future."

Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has declined to be selected for the Villa job.

The 37-year-old is a candidate to replace Gerrard after guiding Sporting to their first Portuguese league title in 19 years last season.

Villa would have to pay a huge sum to get him out of the Jose Alvalade stadium, but Amorim kept a low profile.

"Compared to other clubs, I'm Sporting's coach and there's nothing to say about that, again," he said, ahead of Sporting's game against Casa Pia Saturday.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expects former Reds captain Gerrard to come back stronger from his sacking, but hopes he takes some time out of the game first .

"I'm sure he'll get over it," Klopp said.

"We had a little chat this morning, but nothing too deep. Not a long conversation.

"I can imagine it's disappointing for him because of the visions he had and the things he wanted to achieve at Aston Villa. Obviously that's not cool.

"But I don't think we have to worry about Stevie. He said to himself yesterday that he's known the game long enough and that these things can happen.

"As it is in life, we all get hits here and there and it all depends on how you react.

“It has always come back and it will come back, there is no doubt about it.

"A lot of great managers had to leave their old club for different reasons, some of the best did - quite recently - and showed up elsewhere and learned from that, found a better situation.

"He'll be back, 100%, but now I hope he'll take some time off too because since he finished his (playing) career he's been working pretty much all the time , so maybe use it now a little bit to recharge.”

Villa confirmed Friday morning that Gerrard's back office staff had also left.

The club have released a brief statement confirming the departure of Gary McAllister, Neil Critchley, Tom Culshaw, Jordan Milsom and Scott Mason.

First-team coach Aaron Danks is set to take charge of the squad for Sunday's game against Brentford at Villa Park.

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