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Steven Gerrard Reveals Which Strict Antonio Conte Training Rule He's Set To Implement At Villa
Steven Gerrard has revealed that he intends to take a leaf out of Antonio Conte's book at Aston Villa - by upholding a ketchup ban at the club's training ground.
The new Villa manager held his first press conference yesterday afternoon, where he outlined his vision for the future of the club.
The former Liverpool midfielder guided Rangers to a first Scottish Premiership title in a decade earlier this year, which massively boosted his reputation in the world of football.
Gerrard took his first training session at the club's Bodymoor Health training ground on Monday, although several Villa players who were away on international duty returned later in the week.
The 41-year-old has brought former Rangers coaches Gary McAlister and Michael Beale with him to Birmingham, which will be the former's second spell at Villa after serving under Gerard Houllier in 2010.
During yesterday's press conference, the ever pertinent question of training ground bans was brought up by one of the many reporters present.
The topic has been in the media of late after new Barcelona head coach Xavi laid out his 10 commandments of player conduct after his appointment.
When asked, for instance, if ketchup will be banned, Gerrard said: "It was banned before I had seen it!"
"The players have to have the right mentality. Go above and beyond. They need to strive to be elite."
New Spurs boss Conte recently made headlines for implementing the same dietary alterations that helped him win the Premier League and FA Cup with Chelsea.
The Italian banned several sauces and fizzy drinks after his appointment at the club back in 2016, in a bid to refine his squad's diet.
Gerrard also took some time to discuss some of the differences between the SPFL and the Premier League, both in terms of quality, as well as the pressures he'll face south of Hadrian's Wall.
"I obviously have to respect that the leagues are very different in terms of the level but I've learned an awful lot in the past three-and-a-half years," Gerrard told Villa TV.
"I've lived under that pressure and that demand to win every single week and compete."
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