Sam Allardyce points to ‘iconic’ Jack Grealish sale as reason behind Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard sackings
Aston Villa parted ways with Steven Gerrard on Thursday night, and Sam Allardyce believes his struggles weren’t helped by Jack Grealish’s departure.
Gerrard’s time at Villa Park came to an end last week after just 11 months in charge, with the Villans sat 17th in the Premier League table after 11 games.
But former England boss Allardyce believes Gerrard and his predecessor Dean Smith were both hung up to dry by Villa’s £100million sale of Jack Grealish back in 2021.
Speaking via the Keys & Gray Podcast (22 October), Allardyce said: “I have to say this. We’re only as good as the players we can manage and there is one major factor that Dean Smith suffered and now Steven Gerrard – and that’s no Jack Grealish.
“If you look at the major difference in results to Aston Villa, when Jack Grealish was sold for £100m, and Dean Smith struggled, and Steven has struggled eventually over the period he was there.
“That one iconic player makes so much more difference to a club like Aston Villa.”
Bad investment
While Grealish’s departure obviously had an impact on the club, he demanded a fee that allowed Villa to reinvest and improve the overall quality of the squad.
At the time it seemed like Villa were doing just that, with Emi Buendia, Danny Ings, Lucas Digne and Leon Bailey all joining the club, while Gerrard also reached out to bring Philippe Coutinho to Villa Park.
However, as time has ticked on those signings have mostly underperformed. So Allardyce is right to suggest that things have gone downhill since Grealish left – but it’s just as much down to poor investment as it is him not being at the club.
More money is bound to be spent in January and the summer as Villa try to get back on track and support the new manager that arrives. The club needs to make sure that the budget is spent smartly and on players that the new manager has highlighted.
Then – and only then – can the club finally forget all about Grealish.
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