Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard was confirmed as Aston Villa’s new manager on Thursday as the 41-year-old ended his three-and-a-half year stint with Rangers.

Gerrard emerged as the favourite for the Villa job after the Midlands club sacked manager Dean Smith after a run of five successive Premier League defeats.

In a statement, the club’s CEO Christian Purslow said Gerrard’s “ambitions, philosophy and values” matched the club’s. “Aston Villa is a club with a rich history and tradition in English football and I am immensely proud to become its new head coach,” Gerrard said in a statement.

“In my conversations with (owners) Nassef (Sawiris), Wes (Edens) and the rest of the Board, it was apparent how ambitious their plans are for the club and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their aims.”

Gerrard has never coached in the Premier League.