Steven Gerrard's reign as Aston Villa head coach is over after a 3-0 defeat by Fulham proved to be the final straw as far as the club owners were concerned.
The Liverpool legend has been walking a tightrope after a poor start to the Premier League season, which has seen the West Midlands club pick up two wins in the opening 11 games.
There were ugly scenes at Craven Cottage yesterday evening as Villa supporters turned on Gerrard at the full-time whistle, chanting for the 42-year-old to leave the club before making their feelings even clearer by booing at half-time of last night's contest.
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Gerrard was appointed by Villa last November, securing a 14th place finish during his first season, but has unable to kick on this term. It was only this time one year ago that the former England international was being tipped to become Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield in 2024, however the German would later sign a contract extension to prolong his stay on Merseyside until 2026.
It remains to be seen as to whether or not Gerrard one day returns to his boyhood club in a managerial capacity, having fallen short of expectations in his first top flight role. Chelsea and Manchester United are two examples of clubs who hired former icons, in the form of Frank Lampard and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, both of which ended on a sour note. Liverpool may well wish to avoid such a scenario unfolding with their greatest player of the modern era - something that is not lost on many Reds supporters.
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