Steven Gerrard has become head coach of Aston Villa following the departure of Dean Smith.
The 41-year-old has made headlines in the last six months, as the prospect of returning to the premier league, a competition he made a massive name for himself in with former side Liverpool has risen to headings.
Gerrard's reign at Glasgow Rangers had been a mixed bag of success and disappointment.
He had ended Rangers' decade drought without the Scottish premier league, obtained European football, and built an attack focused side.
However, Gerrard hadn't had absolute dominance throughout his Rangers reign:
He failed to win additional trophies during their title-winning season, which was also their rivals, Celtics F.C's, most ineffective season:
Knocked out by Slavia Prague in the round of 16 of the Europa League
Knocked out by St. Johnstone in the Scottish Cup
Knocked out by St. Mirren in the League Cup
Three opportunities, three failed attempts, despite the apparent quality within the side.
While there were many disappointments to his previous reign, the former England international will now have a significantly better squad at his disposal.
Throughout his managerial career, Gerrard has opted for two formations, the 4-3-3 and the 4-2-3-1. He is consistent with the desire for attacking possession-based football. During the latter stages of his time at Rangers, he opted for a second striker. This allowed his full-backs to push their way up the pitch, creating a robust amount of presence in the final third for his side,
When defending, Gerrard emphasises pressing, similar to the likes of Jürgen Klopp. he gets his players to force the ball out wide, closing any opportunities in the middle of the field. This gives his wingers a possibility to win the ball back. His wingers will drop back into the midfield upon failure to do so, creating an additional block and extra men to win the ball back.
So whilst Gerrard has had his highs with a centurion, invincible campaign. His inability to follow it up and dominate Scotland that season, his inexperience with a squad the size of Aston Villa and his developing tactics will prove a massive risk to the rebuilding Villans.
The Liverpool legend is set to make his premier league managerial debut on Saturday vs Brighton Hove Albion. Liverpool, Villa and Premier League fans worldwide will be tuning in to see how the man's first step into the most demanding, challenging and ruthless league in the world goes down.
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