Aston Villa have announced the appointment of Steven Gerrard as their new manager, with the Liverpool legend set for a return to Anfield next month.
The Villans parted ways with Dean Smith earlier this month after he oversaw a run of five league defeats on the bounce to leave the West Midlands club hovering above the relegation zone in 16th position.
Gerrard was Villa's No 1 target to fill the vacancy, with the club's owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, as well chief executive Christian Purslow impressed by the job Gerrard, 41, has done at Ibrox, his first in management.
"Aston Villa is a club with a rich history and tradition in English football and I am immensely proud to become its new Head Coach,"Gerrard told the club's official website."In my conversations with Nassef, Wes and the rest of the Board, it was apparent how ambitious their plans are for the club and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their aims. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everybody associated with Glasgow Rangers for giving me the opportunity to manage such an iconic football club. Helping them secure a record-breaking 55th league title will always hold a special place in my heart. I would like to wish the players, staff and supporters the very best for the future."
Gerrard took to Instagram to explain his decision to leave Ibrox, with Gers fans disappointed that he has left the Scottish club after three years in Glasgow. "I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone associated with Glasgow Rangers, especially the fans, for the love and support you've all shown me during my time in Scotland," he posted.
It is no secret that Gerrard's ultimate goal is to manage Liverpool, the club with which he is synonymous after a glittering playing career at Anfield. Bringing success to Villa could be his final stepping stone to his dream job, once Jurgen Klopp eventually departs.
His Villa side take on Liverpool at Anfield on December 11, which will be Gerrard's first return to Merseyside since leaving the club in 2015. Gerrard won the Scottish Premiership title last term, breaking Celtic's sequence of nine in a row and going the entire league season unbeaten, and although he has shown fierce loyalty to the club, he has decided to embrace the challenge on offer at Villa Park.
Former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard and Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl were also considered by Villa chiefs for the post, but Purslow had a connection with Gerrard from his previous role in the Liverpool boardroom. Gerrard has the remainder of the international break to assess his new squad before the Villans entertain Brighton at Villa Park on November 20.
Gerrard leaves Rangers top of the Scottish Premiership table, leading Celtic by four points, with the only blot on his copybook a Champions League qualifying defeat by Malmo which saw them drop into the Europa League this season.