Aston Villa are considering Steven Gerrard and Ralph Hasenhuttl to take over as their new manager, after sacking Dean Smith.
Gerrard, currently in charge of Rangers, and Hassenhuttl, the Southampton head coach, both feature highly on Villa’s wishlist 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, an Egyptian national, and American Wes Edens and chief executive Christian Purslow in a meeting on Sunday. The defeat to Hasenhuttl’s Southampton on Friday night was the fifth consecutive in a season that has so far seen Villa thrust into a relegation fight despite major owner investment.
Purslow spoke to Sawiris and Edens at 3pm on Saturday to discuss the situation. Smith was then called in for a meeting on Sunday lunchtime. Talks are understood to be amicable and while Smith accepted the decision, he pointed out that summer signings Emiliano Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings had only been on field together for 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 new Premier League season, a joint record for dismissals in the competition by November 7, along with the 2004/05 campaign. Norwich dismissed their head coach Daniel Farke on Saturday night, joining Xisco Munoz (Watford), Steve Bruce (Newcastle) and Nuno Espirito Santo (Tottenham) on the list of 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 be an admirer of fellow Danes Kasper Hjulmand, the Denmark manager, and Brentford manager Thomas Frank. Paulo Fonseca is another candidate who is currently unattached.
Gerrard has a contract with Rangers until the summer of 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 some tough periods including two 9-0 defeats and been rewarded for his loyalty with Premier League survival and stability this season so far.
Nevertheless, Southampton’s chances of progress are limited until they can find an owner to buy out Gao Jisheng.
Villa head into a critical period after the international break. Currently 13th on 10 points they play Brighton at home a week on Saturday; Crystal Palace away and then Manchester City and Leicester City at home.
