Steven Gerrard: Steven Gerrard makes a U-turn and joins the Saudi club Al-Ettifaq. Details of the deal are yet to come out. However, the club has announced on their social media that the former Liverpool legend has joined as their new head coach. He was offered the position at least a month ago. He previously said that he would not be signing a deal with them. However, talks resurrected a few days ago and Gerrard decided to take on this new challenge presented to him.
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Steven Gerrard has joined the Saudi side Al-Ettifaq as their new head coach. Gerrard was without a job since he left Aston Villa back in October, last year. Prior to Aston Villa, he coached the Scottish side Rangers. Even though his stint at Aston Villa was unsatisfactory to say the least, he was successful for Rangers. Announcing his arrival, Al-Ettifaq posted on Twitter with the caption, “Where legends are found. We’re thrilled to announce Steven Gerrard is our new head coach.”
Gerrard was approached by Al-Ettifaq over a month ago. He was invited to the country to take a look at their offer. However, after looking into the offer and analysing it, he told the media that he was not ready to join them. He said, “I was invited over there to look at a potential offer, which I did. I have been analysing that over the last couple of days. But, as we stand right now, I won’t be taking that offer up.”
Talks between the Saudi club and Gerrard resurrected only a few days ago. Al-Ettifaq delegates visited England to revive talks and persuade the former Liverpool legend another time. It seems like they succeeded as it only took a few days for the Saudi club to reach an agreement and announce Gerrard as their new coach. This job will come with a new challenge for Gerrard as this is his third stint as a coach. He started his managerial career with the Scottish side Rangers.
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Gerrard won his first trophy as a manager in the 2020-21 season when he led Rangers to an amazing Scottish Premiership title win. He stayed with the club for three years and this was his last season. He then moved on to join the Premier League side Aston Villa in November, 2021. However, the Premier League turned out to be too much for the former Liverpool legend. In his 11 month stint at Aston Villa, he managed 40 matches and won only 13 of them.
Moving to the Saudi Pro League, he will have a tough job ahead if he wants to win trophies on his first season. Al-Ettifaq finished last season in 7th place in the Saudi Pro League table, 35 points behind the first placed Al-Ittihad. Additionally, after the country’s Public Investment Fund took control of their four biggest clubs, several big European players, like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, and more have joined their ranks. Al-Ettifaq is not one of those four teams. They have not been able to acquire any big players.
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