Steven Gerrard says it is in his “DNA” to hate losing and admits he has had to learn to deal with setbacks differently as a boss.
The Aston Villa manager is preparing his side to face Watford on Saturday as he bids to end a run of just one win in seven games in all competitions.
It is the worst run of Gerrard’s career as a coach after bossing Scottish champions Rangers previously.
As a captain at Liverpool, Gerrard freely admits he took defeats badly and often withdrew into his own company to analyse them.
Gerrard’s inner battles were vividly illustrated in the ‘Make Us Dream’ documentary on his playing days.
But the Anfield legend admits he has had to change his approach to dealing with adversity as a manager.
Gerrard,41, reflected: “Everyone is different, every deals with draws and defeats in different ways.
“I am not a player anymore.
“I am a manager now, I have a different job.
“I have done courses and I don’t think anyone should compare what goes on in my head now to when I played because I am not a player anymore.
“You are dead right in terms of me not liking to lose.
“I don’t think that will ever change.
“It will always be in my DNA.
“But job is to try and remain as balanced as we can around these results because I have a job to do and that is to manage the team in the best way I can.”
Villa’s 1-0 defeat at struggling Newcastle last weekend left Gerrard dismayed and he has promised changes against the Hornets.
He must decide whether to keep faith with striker Ollie Watkins , who has not scored this year.
Gerrard added: “I had a one to one with Ollie this week and we had a good , positive chat.
“It is very important when players are not in the best of form, they don’t overthink it or over worry or concern themselves.
“It is my job to support them and help them get back to where they want to get to.
“He is a fantastic player and a big talent.
“It wasn’t so long ago people were saying should he be back in the England squad as he was scoring goals and looking a threat.
“But at times as a player you have to reset yourself.
“You have to keep working hard and put the shutters down in terms of the outside noise and focus on what the staff and myself are asking him to do.
“I am very confident Ollie will bounce back pretty quickly.”
Gerrard admitted he has also advised Watkins to steer clear of online trolls.
He added: “I don’t think you gain anything if you go looking for outside noise.
“If you’re on social media and you’re looking for negative comments and you don’t feel good about them then you’ve probably got yourself to blame.”
