Steven Gerrard has claimed that he will use the Aston Villa job as a step towards eventually taking over the reins of his former club Liverpool. Gerrard was appointed as Villa boss last week after the Scottish champions agreed to leave Rangers. Premier League strugglers Villa hosted Brighton in Gerrard’s opening match on Saturday and his emotional reunion with Liverpool took place at Anfield on 11 December. The Liverpool legend has never hidden his ambition to manage the club he captained to Champions League glory and FA Cup success in 2005. year later. But Gerrard is adamant that his move to Villa Park after three-and-a-half years in Glasgow was not inspired by his taking another step closer to his Liverpool dream. “It’s so unfair to describe it as a move, you’ll never hear me say that,” Gerrard told reporters at his first Villa press conference on Thursday.
“I am fully prepared and I will give this job all it takes to be successful.
“The opportunity to be back in the Premier League and the opportunity to get back closer to my family are two reasons that were right for me.
“I am 100 percent committed and so are my employees. There is nothing wrong with having dreams and aspirations.”
While Gerrard was keen to distance himself from Anfield for now, he remains in touch with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after working with the Reds’ youth teams before taking his first managerial job at Rangers.
“Liverpool have a world class coach in Jurgen Klopp. If he signs the Lifetime deal now, I’ll be very happy for him and for him,” Gerrard said.
“I have been in touch with Jurgen since day one. We live in the same area and I bump into him when he is walking his dogs.
“He sent me a message saying he was looking forward to a big hug on December 11th and that’s something for me as well.”
ketchup off the menu
Former England midfielder Gerrard has established his managerial credentials by prominently leading Rangers to their first Scottish crown in 10 years – in the process stopping arch-rivals Celtic in their bid to win 10 consecutive titles.
An unbeaten league campaign with the Glasgow club, as well as their relative success in European competitions under Gerard, suggest that he has been able to revive Villa.
The 41-year-old has replaced Dean Smith at Villa Park after his predecessor was sacked after five consecutive losses.
Villa are just two points above the relegation zone and Gerard knows he needs to improve the results immediately.
“In the long run, the club would like to return to European level, I don’t think now is the right time to put a date on that,” he said.
“What’s more important for me is that it’s about focusing on the short-term, which is Brighton over the weekend. We have to start winning football matches again.”
He has already made a mark at the training ground by banning tomato ketchup.
“I got banned before I saw it!” Gerard said.
“The players have to have the right mindset. Go above and beyond. They need to strive to be elite.”
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