Villa target Gerrard and Hasenhuttl
Smith sacked as owners act after club’s fifth defeat in a row Tally of five managers fired equals Premier League record
Aston Villa are considering Steven Gerrard and Ralph Hasenhuttl to take over as their new manager, after sacking Dean Smith yesterday.
Gerrard, currently in charge of Rangers, and Hasenhuttl, the Southampton head coach, both feature high on Villa’s wish list as they seek to replace Smith before the Premier League resumes the weekend after next.
Smith was told of Villa’s decision by the club’s owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, and chief executive Christian Purslow in a meeting yesterday. The 1-0 loss to Hasenhuttl’s Southampton on Friday night was their fifth consecutive defeat, leaving Villa in a relegation fight despite major investment.
Purslow spoke to Sawiris and Edens at 3pm on Saturday to discuss the situation. Smith was then called in for a meeting yesterday lunchtime. Talks are understood to have been amicable and, while Smith accepted the decision, he pointed out that summer signings Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings had been on the field together for only 24 minutes this season.
Craig Shakespeare, Smith’s assistant, has also left but coaches Aaron Danks and set-piece specialist Austin Macphee remain at the club.
It is the fifth sacking of the Premier League season, a joint record for dismissals in the competition by Nov 7, along with the 2004-05 campaign. Norwich dismissed Daniel Farke on Saturday, joining Xisco Munoz (Watford), Steve Bruce (Newcastle) and Nuno Espirito Santo (Tottenham) as managers fired.
Villa’s ownership group, as well as Danish sporting director Johan Lange, discussed options on Saturday over who should replace Smith. Lange is known to admire fellow Danes Kasper Hjulmand, the Denmark manager, and Brentford’s Thomas Frank. Paulo Fonseca and Lucien Favre are other candidates, and both are unattached.
Gerrard has a contract with Rangers until 2024 and is considered a major asset by the club. He has a connection with Purslow from their days at Liverpool together.
Hasenhuttl’s bond with Southampton
is strong. The club’s chief executive, Martin Semmens, has stood by his manager through tough periods, including two 9-0 defeats, and been rewarded for his loyalty with Premier League survival and stability so far this season. Nevertheless, Southampton’s chances of progress are limited until they find an owner to buy out Gao Jisheng.
Villa head into a critical period after the international break. Thirteenth in the table, they play Brighton a week on Saturday, followed by Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Leicester and Liverpool.
ous run of fixtures. Their next four games are against Manchester United, Leicester City, Chelsea and Manchester City. “We fought from the beginning,” Ranieri said. “But the quality of the Arsenal players is very high.”
Arsenal thought they had taken the lead in the seventh minute, but Bukayo Saka’s close-range effort was ruled out for offside, and the atmosphere became edgy as Watford proved obdurate opponents.
Arsenal needed a dash of invention or a stroke of luck and they got both as Ben White opened up the Watford midfield with a weaving dribble before Smith Rowe’s low shot was deflected beyond Foster.
The hosts were largely able to keep Watford at arm’s length until the final few minutes. A second yellow card to Juraj Kucka robbed the visitors of any hope of a comeback, though, as Arsenal held on for a deserved, albeit controversial, win.