So will he or won’t he? That is the question.
The media down south thinks it is a done deal and so do the bookies.
Right now Gerrard is an astonishing 1-12, which is a close to being a sure thing as you are ever going to get.
Martinez is 12-1. Lampard is 14-1. Terry is 18-1 and then you start getting into the twenties.
As a guy who likes a bet I can tell you what that means; the bookies think it’s already over.
There is probably a lot of inside information doing the rounds down there which accounts for those odds. The certainty with which some of the outlets down south are predicting this tells you that Gerrard’s own people are being quite open about his wanting to talk to Villa.
And if he opens those talks I have no doubt he’ll hear enough to make him take the leap. He knows it’s the kind of job that will give him a bigger platform than Ibrox, but one without the need to achieve all that much at first. He will see it as his stepping stone to Anfield.
Because really, what’s he got to look forward to up here? Celtic are far ahead of where our critics and cynics thought we would be.
January will see us grow stronger still. In the meantime, the Ibrox club has a tough run of games ahead of them and the near certainty of coming out of the next window weaker than they went into it … and with us breathing down their necks.
He has hit the glass ceiling at Ibrox. Things are, now, as good as they are going to get for him and they will probably never get this good again. The fear of Ange and this Celtic team will have been growing in him for weeks, and watching us go away to Ferencvaros and win so convincingly will have done nothing for his sleepless nights.
One trophy in nine. He knows his club’s form offers no guarantees of improving that. One trophy in ten would be a ghastly statistic considering the money he has had to spend, and one trophy in twelve, which looms in his future if he stays … disastrous.
Aston Villa is the right club for his level. A low lying struggler but with plenty of money to get out of the relegation zone.
Not a club that will win things.
Not a club that will make a lot of difference to his career path.
There will be more in his personal wage packet, yes, and he will be closer to his family but let’s be honest, we know that this is a guy who’s running.
If he believed that he could deliver another title here he’d not give that up. But he has looked across the city, seen what Ange is doing and realised that in such poor form, and with divisions at every level at Ibrox – more on that later, I assure you – that this is the time to leap off the burning deck.
Ange has seen him off the premises although we’re still four points behind.
Gerrard sees what we see; he sees the writing on the wall.
I agree with all of the above however, it could also be a sign that he now knows exactly the dire straits they’re in financially.
No kitty for transfers in January, in fact, they’re SKINT ie. pot less.
So, ideal time for the ‘chequebook manager’ to say; farewell my fellow huns.
I can only imagine how relieved his family will be with his new position, if, of course, he makes it out of Scotland alive; for we all know only too well how quickly they can turn on their own.
I used to have a certain admiration for him, that has long since left NEVER to return.
Why??
I remember eddie howe was 1/33 for a week to get the celtic gig – think sevco have to get him off the payroll – so good for the bank , deek mcinness step in supervise the fire sale – just need ange to keep it together , then they’ll get what they deserve – implosion happy days
Absolute rubbish this is all about getting back to premier league. He is top of the league here and has been for over a year …and continullay beats us what’s to fear? This is about money and his desire like Rodgers to get to a top six team eventually it’s all about stepping stones.
He knows if he doesn’t go now he might not get the chance again. If, as we expect, they collapse and the glorious Hoops sweep all in their path this season, he will be shown up for the “got lucky with covid lockdowns” sub-par coach he truly is and he’ll be lucky to be offered a league 2 gig after that.
I think Mr. Gerrard was probably surprised that Rangers* won their first title.
I like Aston Villa.
Correction.
I liked Aston Villa.
If Gerrard goes he is crazy. Aston Villa have the worst record in the EPL over the past 5 games. They are in freefall. Yes, Sevco have no money, he needs a stepping stone to a top 6 EPL side, etc but he is not a first class coach at all which means he will need his coaching team with him. That, and the kind of money available to him in Jan, will be critical. It may take a few days either way
So, he’s not a top class coach and so a top PL team (like, one that hasn’t just sacked a manager) is not a realistic move.
But he nevertheless would like a stepping stone?
Aston Villa makes perfect sense in that context.
Sounds like he will indeed take his coaching team (very much like top class coaches do) if these rumours are to be believed.
It does not make perfect sense at all in my opinion. How much money do AV have? And who would be available in Jan? And what about teams below them like Newcastle? How much are they going to spend? He is probably asking people he respects what his likelihood of finishing 4th bottom is? It is one hell of a risk
AV have billionaire owners. They are currently performing well below their relative budget. I suspect he was also asking the exact same questions of Rangers, and comparing the answers.
Celtic have a billionaire owner. Rangers have a much better chance of winning the SPL than Villa have of being relegated. They would have to offer way over the selling price to attract anybody in January. And of course compete with Newcastle in so doing. Going to AV made sense in August for Gerrard but right now is a huge gamble.
Bookies stopped taking bets on both Howe and Benitez for the Celtic manager’s job at one point. Bookies odds on things like this only reflect the number of bets being placed in any one direction.
That said, the reports from down south seem well informed and the move makes perfect sense from Gerrard’s perspective.
But, his team is currently four points clear. This time last year, it was similar had Celtic won the three games in hand they had at the time.
A more likely explanation is that Villa will pay him more, provide him with much improved funds and resources, and allow him to live closer to (and perhaps even with) his family.
Ange spoke well, as always, today. Celtic needs to focus on itself. I’m not convinced Gerrard is doing anything any different.
He will no doubt wish to be Liverpool manager one day and he’s far from daft. He knows that possibly the most impressive stats and data based football operation in world football is not going to employ a manager straight from Rangers (or Celtic, or Legia Warsaw, or virtually any other European middleweight club) without prior experience.
He’ll be keen to be closer to his wife, his children and his Simon Lynch jersey.
Yes Celtic are a far different animal now,from the one Slippy took on last year.he knows it,he’s on the Titanic,and he wants off.
He signed up at rangers while Rodgers was all conquering at Celtic so I can’t see us being a factor if he leaves. It does make you wonder if their finances are worse than they’d have everyone believe though.
I am surprised at the lack of ambition of Villa, he won a league against a useless excuse of a manager. I thought he was another misfit like the fat Colombian, who will obviously be his first signing. Villa to be relegated and the Scouse housebreaker sacked.
Fair play to Gerrard: his timing could prove to be impeccable.
And to come from Liverpool U-19’s to win the league and – potentially – move to an EPL manager position within 3 and a half years is decent.
He has smart people around him.
Good luck to him.
And thanks for giving Ange a massive boost to win an unexpected league win in his first season! 🙂
I’m intrigued as to who stevie (my herwo) might want as part of his subs bench at AV from the wangers footy klub..!!??
If I were a betting man, my money would be on Scotty Arsefield, he’s great!
Kamara and Aribo are the most important players IMO. Would be great for Celtic if he scooped them up.
I don’t think Celtic’s European results has had any bearing in his decision to leave.