Steven Gerrard is used to fielding questions about whether he will one day succeed Jurgen Klopp, yet it is another Liverpool manager who is inspiring him as he takes his first steps as a Premier League boss.
The former England captain will be on the touchline as Aston Villa manager for the first time on Saturday after succeeding Dean Smith last week.
Following his home debut against Brighton, Gerrard faces a devilish run: Crystal Palace away, Manchester City at home, Leicester at home and — as though he needed reminding — Liverpool away.
Steven Gerrard paid a genuine and emotional tribute to Gerard Houllier in his first press conference and first team manager of Aston Villa, prior to his opening match in charge
Dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and club tie, and flanked by chief executive Christian Purslow and sporting director Johan Lange, Gerrard exuded confidence and resolve in the sumptuous surroundings of the Villa Park directors’ club.
He said he would be delighted were Klopp to sign a lifetime deal at Anfield and that he would never describe Villa as a ‘stepping stone’. Yet when he was asked about Gerard Houllier, there was emotion in Gerrard’s voice.
Houllier, who died on December 14 last year, aged 73, was Villa manager from 2009-10 but stepped down due to ill health.
Dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and club tie Gerrard exuded both confidence and resolve
Houllier, who died on December 14 last year, aged 73, was Villa manager from 2009-10
Houllier was the Liverpool manager who turned Gerrard from a promising young player into one of the Premier League’s top midfielders and Gerrard’s love and respect for the Frenchman were clear to see. ‘I’m sure he’s looking down very proud,’ said Gerrard.
‘I’ll be forever in his debt for what he did for me. He changed me as a person, he helped me a lot as a player. He really improved my game intelligence and what it takes to stay at the top level.
‘He went out of his way to talk to my parents, to see what I was eating and how I was getting on. I used to lean on him for advice. And his advice to me was always, “Go and be the best version of yourself and you won’t go too far wrong”.’
With Houllier’s counsel in his mind, Gerrard performed spectacularly during a five-hour interview with Purslow, who he has known since Purslow was managing director at Liverpool from 2009-10, and Lange.
Once Purslow and Lange had settled on a shortlist of four, Gerrard held talks with Villa owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, who were similarly impressed.
He has brought former Liverpool midfielder
