Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the bookies’ favourite to take over from Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa after the Liverpool legend was sacked from his post following the 3-0 defeat at Fulham.

Villa were abysmal at Craven Cottage and fell behind in the first half through Harrison Reed’s goal on the 36th minute. After Douglas Luiz was sent off for violent conduct just after the hour mark, Marco Silva’s side added two more goals to condemn Gerrard to his 15th loss as Villa boss this calendar year.

The club released a statement confirming that Gerrard had been sacked some two hours after the final whistle was blown in West London. Pochettino is being considered by Villa to take over from Gerrard, but the Argentine could need some persuading after leaving PSG in the summer.

Though, he has already claimed Villa is a club with big potential. Back in 2019, Pochettino said: “For sure they have the capacity to create a dynamic that Aston Villa deserve as they are a historic club with fantastic fans and an amazing stadium.”

The former Tottenham boss is joined by Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Thomas Tuchel in the bookies’ odds list. The Athletic claim that Frank is a manager admired by the Villa board and will be considered as part of the search to replace Gerrard.