Jamie Carragher fears Steven Gerrard faces a ‘tougher’ task to return as a Premier League manager than Frank Lampard before he joined Everton after Aston Villa sacked the coach.
Villa Park chiefs called time on Gerrard’s reign in Birmingham on Thursday night after a 3-0 defeat at Fulham. The 42-year-old had stood at the helm for just 11 months after replacing Dean Smith last November. His brief tenure is now the fifth-shortest in the Villans’ history.
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Gerrard oversaw 40 games in all competitions during his time as Aston Villa’s manager for 13 wins and eight draws. The Birmingham side had not won in four when the curtain came down on his reign. They had also only won in two of their last 15 Premier League matches.
Losing at the reigning Championship champions left Aston Villa above the relegation zone only on goals scored. They had found the net just seven times in 11 Premier League games this term. Only their west Midlands rivals Wolves had scored fewer with five to sit in 18th.
Carragher fears Gerrard’s task to return after being sacked by Aston Villa
Carragher now fears Gerrard could face a more challenging route back into Premier League management than Lampard endured. Everton hired the 44-year-old this January to replace Rafa Benitez. He had been out of work for the previous year after being sacked by Chelsea.
The Blues parted company with their club legend as the head coach in January 2021 after 25 defeats and 11 draws in 84 matches. Lampard then bided his time before returning to a dugout. He ultimately accepted Everton’s offer of the job and guided the Toffees to safety.
Carragher has now pointed to Lampard taking charge of Everton as an example for Gerrard to follow after being sacked by Aston Villa. The Liverpool hero has also noted in his column for The Telegraph how it would be no surprise if Gerrard were to accept another challenge.
“Lampard is an example of a young, up-and-coming coach who is determined to make a success of management after his difficult Chelsea experience,” Carragher wrote. “Frank managed to get himself another fantastic opportunity at Everton.
“It may be tougher for Gerrard to get himself such a coveted position so soon. But it will be no surprise if his love for the game lures him into another challenge.”
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