Take this, for example, from Tom Collomosse of the‘Though not even Gerrard’s staunchest supporters could argue he has done a good job at Villa, the club’s 41-word exit statement, with a one-line quote from a spokesman, was not a classy way to treat one of English football’s modern greats.’
‘It would surely have been more sensible to let the dust settle and make the call at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground on Friday morning. Whatever you think of Gerrard the manager, he deserved more.’ As for what Gerrard ‘deserved’, Villa were 16th and two points outside the relegation zone after 11 games when he was appointed. Almost one year and more than £80m spent across two transfer windows later, they are 17th and above the dropzone on goal difference only after 11 matches.
Gerrard’s successor be warned: you ‘will be operating under similarly unforgiving terms’ like being judged on results, the effectiveness of your coaching and how much money you waste in the transfer market. Tough gig.Almost impossible now to revive big PL clubs without huge money to spend. Gerrard had no chance at Villa, Marsch will find the same at Leeds. Newcastle bucking the trend. Because of money.Ah yes, money.
To be fair, it would have been classier to at least let him finish the bus ride home before sacking him and let the poor man cry/drown sorrows/update CV/ring Wolves/whatever in the privacy of his own home.