MediaEvolves
According to Rangers’ annual financial report, Aston Villa gave the Scottish team £4.25 million in compensation for Steven Gerrard.
A nugget regarding the compensation package Villa put up to get Gerrard to Villa Park last year has grabbed the eye in a report that revealed an all-time high turnover of £86.8m.
After removing Dean Smith as manager a year ago, Christian Purslow and the Villa leadership made no secret of their intention to sign Gerrard, who had a contract with Rangers through 2024.
The former Liverpool captain’s reputation was high at Rangers and they were hesitant to let him go cheaply after bringing back a league championship to Ibrox.
Now it’s reported that Villa spent a hefty £4.25 million to get him.
It can be calculated that under Gerrard, who was fired last month and replaced by Unai Emery, Villa paid £326,000 for each victory.
To be qualified to follow Gerrard to the Midlands, Villa also had to spend an additional £6.1 million for backroom personnel.
In their report, Rangers said: “We also charged £6.1m in non-recurring charges, which includes litigation settlement and contract termination costs.”
That cash is reportedly the result of contract terminations, including Michael Beale’s, a former coach for Gerrard who is currently the manager of Queens Park Rangers.
Given the financial package they spent to acquire Gerrard, Villa was proactive in their pursuit of him, demonstrating their confidence.
Thoughts of success off the field quickly faded, and Gerrard was fired 11 months later after a disastrous night at Fulham, where incensed Villa supporters yelled for him to leave the team.
With Villa having won just two of their first 12 league games this year, Gerrard was fired.
Along with Gerrard, other backroom staff members Gary McAllister, Neil Critchley, Tom Culshaw, Jordan Milsom, and Scott Mason also left the club.
With eight victories, eight ties, and 15 losses from 31 games, Gerrard left Villa Park with a win percentage of 25.8%.
