Steven Gerrard ‘set to be appointed as Al Ettifaq manager’

Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard is set to return to managerial duties as he has reportedly agreed to become the manager of Saudi outfit Al Ettifaq FC.

A photo of the former Rangers and Aston Villa boss at an airport in Saudi Arabia was leaked in a tweet by Olt Sports this morning, Monday, June 12. They captioned it: ‘JUST IN: Steven Gerrard has arrived in Dammam Saudi Arabia to coach Al-Ettifaq!’

✅ JUST IN: Steven Gerrard has arrived in Dammam Saudi Arabia to coach Al-Ettifaq! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/TyE7hQk8Kh

— Olt Sports (@oltsport_) June 12, 2023

Gerrard, who was sacked by Aston Villa in October, had previously been linked with the vacant jobs at Leeds and Leicester.

Al Ettifaq are keen to appoint him, with one source close to the possible deal telling Reuters: “Al Ettifaq made an offer to Gerrard. He welcomed the idea, but asked for time to study the offer.”

Al Ettifaq competes in the Saudi Pro League, the same division as Cristiano Ronaldo’s side Al Nassr. They finished 7th this season and 35 points behind champions Al Ittihad, Karim Benzema’s new club.

Should he join Al Ettifaq, Steven Gerrard will be taking charge of the third senior club of his management career.

Following a spell as a youth coach at Liverpool, he joined Rangers and won the Scottish Premiership in his third season. Gerrard then left in November 2021 to make the move to Villa, although results at the club were mixed.

He endured a dreadful start to the 2022/23 campaign and was relieved of his duties at Villa Park two months into the season.

However, Al Ettifaq could offer him the chance to revitalise his managerial career in a league that’s attracting some of the biggest stars in world football.

Al Ettifaq FC Gerrard’s star players will include strikers Youssoufou Niakaté and Robin Quaison, who scored 14 goals between them last season.

The Saudi Pro League is already seeing many big names from Europe fly over to join clubs in the division.