Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa sacking remains one of the most difficult chapters of his managerial career, with the former England captain now opening up on just how hard it was to take. Gerrard, who was dismissed by Villa in October 2022, has revealed that he felt powerless to reverse the team’s slide during his final weeks in charge.
Villa, now led by Unai Emery, are enduring a tricky start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, winning just two of their opening seven fixtures. Despite Emery’s impressive overall record at Villa Park, pressure is beginning to mount, with fans questioning whether the Spaniard can repeat his earlier success. It has brought Gerrard’s tenure back into the spotlight — a reign that ended abruptly and painfully.
Speaking candidly on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Gerrard said he found his final run of games “really tough” and admitted he “couldn’t pull it back” despite working harder than ever. His honesty sheds light on the reality of life as a Premier League manager — where pressure from fans, players and the board can quickly spiral out of control.
Steven Gerrard on why his Aston Villa sacking hurt
The Liverpool legend arrived at Villa Park in November 2021 after a trophy-laden spell at Rangers, where he had gone unbeaten across an entire Scottish Premiership season. Expectations were high, but the transition to England’s top flight was not smooth.
“I lost my job at Aston Villa, which was really tough, because I found the last six or seven games really tough, because I felt like I couldn’t pull it back. And it’s frustrating when you’re in that position. You’re working harder, you’re doing more, and you just can’t pull it back, because you know that the dressing room’s maybe not going to help you pull it back.” — Steven Gerrard, via Rio Ferdinand Presents
Although Gerrard stopped short of directly claiming he had lost the dressing room, his words hint strongly at a squad no longer united behind their manager. He left Villa with a record of 13 wins, 8 draws and 19 defeats in 40 matches — a win rate of just 32.5%.
Steven Gerrard’s managerial record so far
| Club | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rangers | 193 | 125 | 42 | 26 | 64.8 |
| Aston Villa | 40 | 13 | 8 | 19 | 32.5 |
| Al-Ettifaq | 59 | 23 | 16 | 20 | 39.0 |
source: verified club records – 8 October 2025
The figures paint a stark contrast. At Rangers, Gerrard was hailed for restoring dominance and ending Celtic’s stranglehold. At Villa, results quickly faltered, and at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, he achieved only modest improvement before leaving by mutual consent in January 2025.
Emery’s success shows Villa’s sharp contrast
Since replacing Gerrard, Unai Emery has lifted Aston Villa into Europe and delivered the club’s highest-ever Premier League win percentage. His tactical nous, squad rotation and recruitment strategy have been widely praised. Yet with Villa winning just twice in their opening seven games this season, some are asking whether cracks are starting to appear.
Compared to Gerrard’s struggles, Emery’s track record offers reassurance — but the fine margins of the Premier League mean patience is never guaranteed.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Gerrard’s honesty is commendable but also revealing:
“Gerrard’s admission highlights the mental strain of modern management. At Villa, once momentum slipped, he found himself isolated. Emery, by contrast, has embedded a clear tactical identity, which is why Villa thrived under him. Yet both examples show how quickly perception can change in football.”
In other words, Gerrard’s downfall was not simply poor results — it was a lack of buy-in from the squad. Emery’s challenge now is to avoid the same trap.
Key Insights
- Gerrard admits he “couldn’t pull it back” at Aston Villa.
- The ex-Villa boss managed just a 32.5% win rate in 40 games.
- Emery boasts Villa’s best-ever win percentage but is under pressure this season.
- Gerrard left Al-Ettifaq in January 2025 and is currently seeking his next role.
- Villa have won only 2 of their first 7 league fixtures in 2025/26.
What’s Next for Gerrard and Aston Villa?
For Gerrard, the next step is uncertain. His reputation remains strong due to his playing career and Rangers success, but back-to-back mixed spells in England and Saudi Arabia have raised doubts. He will likely wait for the right opportunity rather than rush into another high-pressure job.
As for Villa, they face a crunch run of fixtures in October and November, including clashes with Tottenham, Manchester City, and Liverpool. These games could define Emery’s short-term future. Should results not improve, the board may face a difficult decision — echoing the same questions they once asked of Gerrard.
👉 Do you think Steven Gerrard deserves another chance in Premier League management — or has his window already closed?
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