Football: Steven Gerrard ousted as manager of Premier League club Aston Villa

Aston Villa have secured just two wins from their opening 11 matches in this year's Premier League campaign under manager Steven Gerrard. Photo / AP

Steven Gerrard is out as manager of Premier League club Aston Villa after less than a year in charge.

The Birmingham club said Friday that Gerrard "has left the club with immediate effect" after a 3-0 loss at Fulham.

Villa has just two wins after 11 league games and is one spot above the relegation zone.

"We would like to thank Steven for his hard work and commitment and wish him well for the future," the club said in a brief statement.

Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that Head Coach Steven Gerrard has left the club with immediate effect.

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) October 20, 2022

The Liverpool great was hired last November in a Premier League return that many expected would eventually lead to the manager's role back at Liverpool, where he played 710 matches — many as captain — and is widely regarded as one of its best players.

The 42-year-old Gerrard joined Villa after a three-and-a-half year stint in Scottish football where as a first-time head coach he transformed the fortunes of Rangers and ended the long-time dominance of Glasgow rival Celtic.

Villa finished in 14th place last season.

The former England midfielder played 17 seasons for Liverpool and retired as a player in 2016 after one-and-a-half seasons with the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer.