Steven Gerrard has admitted his time as Aston Villa manager 'wasn't to be' just hours after he was brutally sacked from his first managerial role in the Premier League.
The former Liverpool captain was dismissed less than an hour after the Villians' 3-0 defeat to newly-promoted Fulham at Craven Cottage. Goals from Harrison Reed, Aleksander Mitrovic and an own-goal from Tyrone Mings condemned Gerrard's side to defeat in west London and left them hovering above the relegation zone on goals difference.
That was enough for the club's owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens - who were in attendance at Craven Cottage, to cruelly pull the trigger on the 42-year-old just moments after he had declared in his post-match press conference that quitting his position was not on the cards.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp reveals Steven Gerrard exchange following Aston Villa sacking
READ MORE: FSG chief Sam Kennedy hints at future Liverpool stadium plan after £80m Anfield Road work
However, no sooner after Gerrard had said his last words had the Midlands outfit released an equally ruthless, anonymous, statement confirming the Anfield icon had been booted from his position - 11 months after making the move to Villa Park.
On Friday evening Gerrard broke his silence after his first sacking in the professional game and thanked the Aston Villa supporters for their backing but admitted the plans he had envisioned for the club 'were not to be'.
“I would like to thank everyone connected to Aston Villa Football Club, for the support shown to me during my time there," posted Gerrard to his 10.5m Instagram followers. “I would personally like to thank the board of directors, the players and all the staff for their hard work.
“To the fans, it is regrettable that it didn’t work out in the end. But I owe you a debt of gratitude for the way you welcomed me into your club, and continued to push the team on during difficult times.
“Aston Villa is a club with a special history, I really wanted to bring back those memorable achievements, unfortunately it wasn’t to be.
“I wish everyone at the club all the very best for the future. Steven Gerrard.”
READ NEXT
-
Darwin Nunez, Ibrahima Konate, Naby Keita - full Liverpool injury list with expected return dates
-
Declan Rice makes Anfield 'sick' claim after Liverpool beat West Ham
-
What Declan Rice said to Joe Gomez in Anfield tunnel during Liverpool victory
-
David Moyes and other Premier League managers send clear Steven Gerrard message
