Sean Fisher

Sun 27 November 2022 17:55, UK

Steven Gerrard was sacked by Aston Villa after a 3-0 defeat to Fulham, but he still had to travel back with the squad after hearing the news.

The final nail in Gerrard’s coffin came on 20 October when Villa fell to an embarrassing defeat to a newly-promoted Fulham side.

Former Villa goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler has revealed that Gerrard was sacked by the board immediately after the full-time whistle, meaning he was forced to sit with the squad and his staff on the journey back to Villa Park.

Cutler recalled the story on the Claret & Blue podcast: “It was tough for Steve because he was told at the game, and obviously we were all on the bus coming back. It wasn’t awkward it was just disappointment really. Disappointment about how the game turned out.

“You know the manager has lost his job and obviously the staff will as well. Then, in the back of your mind you’re thinking, ‘Am I going to lose my job too?’ You just don’t know.”

Brutal

To sack Gerrard and then make him travel back with the squad as the news breaks is brutal, but the Aston Villa board knew his time had come.

The team’s form was terrible, results were nowhere to be seen and the players and fans had lost faith. Villa were one a one-way track towards the relegation zone and change was desperately needed.

Gerrard simply failed to improve from his first season and his signings were quickly faltering. His lack of experience was being exposed and his reputation was no longer saving him.

The method of his sacking may have been brutal, but Villa owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris were quickly justified in their decision as they moved quickly to appoint Unai Emery.

The Spaniard has only enjoyed a short stay at Villa Park but already Emery has brought in some fantastic points and recorded back-to-back Premier League victories.

So far it’s looking like a brilliant decision.

In other Aston Villa news, Alan Hutton urges Unai Emery to shelve the ongoing captaincy issue for now