The bigger the challenge, the more excited you should be
FEARLESS GERRARD’S MORE THAN PREPARED FOR TASK
STEVEN GERRARD used the Aston Villa club motto ‘Prepared’ to help him land the job.
Gerrard, 41, was bursting with energy, enthusiasm and drive as he talked at length yesterday for the first time since taking over at Villa Park.
And it was those qualities which “blew away” Villa when they spoke to him during a highly impressive five-hour interview as he outlined his vision for the club.
Chief executive Christian Purslow said his preparation and detail was “absolutely outstanding”, while sporting director Johan Lange revealed Gerrard was the “unanimous choice” from the four candidates interviewed from the shortlist. It is easy to understand why. Gerrard manages and talks with as much energy and drive as he showed during his glorious playing career for club and country.
Now he wants Villa to play in his own style with energy and excitement.
The other buzzword Gerrard used was being “fearless” and despite having to make a heartrending decision to leave Rangers, there was no hesitation when Villa came in.
“For me, the bigger the size of the challenge, the more excited you should be,” said Gerrard.
“I was really happy when I walked into the training ground and saw the word ‘fearless’ up as one of the values of the club.
“To get to your end goals, it is a major trait that we have to have. We want to be prepared as well – the two go hand in hand.
“I cannot really describe the excitement I am feeling now.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world and why is it the best league in the world? It’s because the best teams are in there, the best coaches and we all accept it’s a tough, challenging league and we have to act on that and that’s what excites me rather than scares me.
“I worked extremely hard to win this competition for 17, 18 years and never managed to do it, so I’m fully aware of how tough this competition is: the individual duels, the rivalry, the teams. This league has everything.
“We have exciting players in the final third and we have good creation too.
“But the club is conceding too many goals, 18th in the Premier League, so we need to be harder to play against and need to improve.”
It was a difficult switch from success at Rangers – guiding them to the title and into Europe – to leading Villa away from relegation danger.
But he wants to get back to the top. Gerrard said: “I will miss
European football because every player, coach, manager, fan wants to be in Europe. That’s the long-term goal here.
“We’ll try to provide that as quick as possible.
“This club has a fantastic history in Europe from many years ago, so that is a dream for everyone sitting at the table, the supporters, everyone.
“But my focus now needs to turn to the Premier League and FA Cup in the short term. We’re very much on the same page. I’m as ambitious as anyone, I have confidence and belief in myself and the staff and this group of players.
“I have confidence that I’ll get the right support at the right time to help move this team forward and grow and strive to be better.
“I’m really looking forward to achieving a lot here for sure.”
And his reign starts tomorrow against Brighton.