Steven Gerrard: Liverpool legend exits as Al Ettifaq manager

Steven Gerrard has left his put up as supervisor of Saudi Professional League facet Al Ettifaq after 18 months with the group struggling within the backside half of the desk.

The Liverpool legend joined the membership in July 2023 however they’ve failed to ascertain themselves as actual contenders for the title within the Gulf nation, ending final season in sixth place however 48 factors behind champions Al Hilal.

Al Ettifaq are twelfth this time period having received simply 5 of their opening 17 video games, with Gerrard and the membership reaching a mutual settlement to terminate their working relationship.

“At the start we lengthen our honest gratitude to Steven for his dedication and exhausting work throughout his time with the membership,” Al Ettifaq president Samer Al Misehal mentioned in a press release. “

Generally issues do not go as deliberate, however the agency foundations he helped construct will assure a brilliant future in the long run. He modified the membership for the higher, and that may by no means be forgotten. This determination, made with mutual respect and in settlement, is in the perfect curiosity of each Steven and the membership as we transfer ahead.”

Gerrard, 44, moved to the group amid a wave of ambition for each the group and league extra typically, with one other Anfield stalwart in Jordan Henderson swiftly following swimsuit.

Nonetheless, Henderson ended up returning to Ajax after a six-month spell in Saudi after which he terminated his contract with Al Ettifaq.

“I need to categorical my gratitude to the membership, the gamers, the followers and everybody concerned for the chance and the help throughout my time right here, particularly the president, Mr. Samer, CEO Mr. Hamad and the pinnacle of the soccer committee Mr. Hatim,” Gerrard mentioned.

“I categorical my gratitude for Mr. Samer and Mr. Hatim from the primary day I used to be warmly welcomed and I’ve loved to work in a brand new nation with a special tradition. So general I’ve learnt loads and it has been a optimistic expertise personally and for my household as nicely.

However soccer is unpredictable, and generally issues do not go the way in which we wish. Nonetheless, I go away with the good respect for the membership and the nation, I’ve little doubt that the work being performed will carry success sooner or later, and I want the group the easiest for the remainder of the season.”

Gerrard, who signed a contract extension by means of 2027 in January 2024, took cost of what turned out to be his ultimate sport in a 2-2 draw at Al Wehda final Saturday, with Abdullah Madu saving some extent for the guests with a 93rd-minute equaliser.

The previous England worldwide’s exit means he will likely be on the lookout for his fourth position as a head coach, having managed Rangers and Aston Villa earlier than the transfer to Saudi Arabia.