Legendary footballer Steven Gerrard is poised to sign as manager of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, according to reports. The former Liverpool captain will join Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the Saudi Pro League next season.
Gerrard recently parted ways with Aston Villa in October after a poor start to the 2021-22 Premier League campaign. Villa finished 14th in Gerrard’s first season in charge and he was unable to meet the club’s European ambitions. Fans grew frustrated with Gerrard’s style of play and failure to make changes.
With his Premier League future uncertain, Gerrard appears set to take his talents to Saudi Arabia. According to journalist Romain Molina, Gerrard “is currently in Saudi Arabia” and will soon be announced as Al-Ettifaq’s new manager.
Al-Ettifaq finished 7th in the league last season, earning 37 points from 30 matches. Gerrard will aim to challenge clubs like Al-Hilal, who were recently taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Gerrard joins Ronaldo, who signed for Al-Nassr in January, and Benzema, recently signed by Al-Ittihad, as the latest high-profile addition to the Saudi Pro League.
