FORMER LIVERPOOL CAPTAIN Steven Gerrard has left his role as Saudi side Al-Ettifaq’s coach by mutual consent after 18 months in charge, the club said on Thursday.
Gerrard had been in charge since the summer of 2023 and a year ago signed a new deal to take him through to 2027.
“Ettifaq football club and Steven Gerrard have mutually agreed to part company,” the club said in a statement.
Last season, Al-Ettifaq finished sixth but the 44-year-old departs with the club 12th in the 18-team Saudi Pro League, having lost eight of their 17 matches.
“From the first day I was warmly welcomed and I have enjoyed the chance to work in a new country with a different culture,” said Gerrard.
“So overall I have learnt a lot and it’s been a positive experience personally and for my family as well.
“But football is unpredictable and sometimes things don’t go the way we want. I wish the team the very best for the rest of the season.”
Gerrard took charge of Al-Ettifaq in 59 matches in all competitions, winning just 23, drawing 16 and losing 20.
“Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but the firm foundations he helped build will guarantee a bright future in the long term,” said club president Samer Al Mishal.
“He changed the club for the better and that will never be forgotten.
“This decision, made with mutual respect and in agreement, is in the best interest of both Steven and the club as we move forward.”
Gerrard spent most of his playing career at Liverpool, playing over 500 times for the club, winning the 2005 Champions League. He also won 114 England caps between 2000 and 2014, captaining the team 38 times.
He made a bright start to his management career when he led Rangers to their first Scottish title in 10 years in 2021.
Ending Celtic’s dominance earned Gerrard a Premier League chance with Aston Villa.
But the 44-year-old struggled badly at Villa Park, finishing 14th in his first season and being sacked in 2022 after winning only two of the opening 12 games of the season.
At least he can slip off with a few Saudi bob in his pockets.
@Brian Dunne: Aaah Brian,that still haunts me to this day.
@Deano74: a great (or nor so great for some) premier league moment!
@Brian Dunne: to be fair to Gerrard,a savage player that a times dragged ordinary LFC teams, through games,seasons,and some silverwere they probably had no business winning otherwise,and to be remembered for the slip,it’s just not justice to a great player.
@Deano74: brilliant footballer, agreed.
@Brian Dunne: Your wit is wasted in the comments section of the 42, you should take your show on the road with that talent.
@Brian Dunne: not just there ability on the field it’s there whole mindset around there teammates as well,Keane is the best example at utd,always demanding more,not letting them slack for a minute, apart from having some of the best players around at the time,having Keane was singularly the biggest reason utd we’re so successful,keeping the eggos at bay,Gerrard had some of that,but not always the greatest team around him,sadly those players are few these days.
@stephen “emmams5” malone: a little light jabbing Stephen, liverpool fans have had loads of ammo the last few years and never tire of taking aim.
@Deano74: They don’t make em like they used to, that’s for sure.
@Deano74: I would liken Gerrard to bryan robson at utd in the 80s. A world class player in a mediocre team carrying the club forward.
@Brian Dunne: very good comparison.
@Brian Dunne: Brilliant…great moment in premiership history..
@Brian Dunne: probably would not match Robbo though in drinking. He was savage! Different days!
Another failure from the alleged golden generation. Self entitled and lacking any humility. Sadly he will probably end up on Tv as a pundit. As there aren’t enough ex reds
@Robert conway: He could well end up back at rangers too, otherwise a championship club for me,try re-establish himself.
@Robert conway: Quit talking nonsense, world class players before Gerrard tried management but failed, it’s an entirely different job to playing football.
@Robert conway: Im not sure what u arr trying to say but it seem’s like complete B
@Robert conway: Failure lol when is the last time u won a fa cup. champion’s league. etc ID say lacking any humility is you
@Robert conway: what do you mean,he was a talented,savage footballer that made a good living from it,why wouldn’t he,he went a lot closer than most to justifying his salary when on the field,just look at some of the entitled of today,rashford being the stand out examples.
@Robert conway: what? Self entitled and lacking humility in what way? Complete bs.
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Coarse
For me,Dalglish is the greatest ever Liverpool player. Gerrard went missing a lot in big games. He produced big moments, but ultimately was more crash, bang, wallop. If he won even won 1 league title surrounded by one of those mediocre teams, then he might qualify.
@Diarmuid Concannon: went missing in big games what are you on about dragged a team to win a champions league and fa cup.
I must say, ever since Gerrard went to Saudi I have been following the league religiously. Because that’s what Liverpool fans do, apparently.
@ecrowley ecrowley: And if he ends up back in Scotland time to dig out the rangers jersey,just as it happens I was due over in Saudi for a game,it only cost 18 grand,but looks that’s what you do, apparently.
@ecrowley ecrowley: Yet apparently this red never watched one minute
@Kevin: Whaaaaat.
@Deano74: yet apparently this red has never watched a minute
@Kevin: apparently,are you not sure if you watched a minute or not.
Just proves the point that great players don’t always prove to be good managers.
Cud be a good shout for Black Forge Utf
There have been not many top class players become top class managers, a few but not many. It is a totally different set of skills. A player has only one player to concentrate on a manager has all of them, and many others things to be concerned about.