Former Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has had a change of coronary heart and accepted the place of head coach at Saudi Professional League membership Al-Ettifaq.
The announcement got here by means of a Twitter put up by the membership, proclaiming, “The place legends are discovered. We’re thrilled to announce Steven Gerrard is our new head coach.” Gerrard had beforehand distanced himself from the function, however it seems that he has reconsidered his determination. This transfer sees Gerrard be part of the rising checklist of high-profile soccer figures making their option to Saudi Arabia in current instances.
Al-Ettifaq, who completed seventh within the league final season beneath the steering of Antonio Cazorla, might be aiming for improved efficiency beneath Gerrard’s management. The Saudi Professional League has witnessed an increase in high quality with the intervention of the nation’s Public Funding Fund, which has taken management of 4 golf equipment, excluding Al-Ettifaq. The league’s rising attraction has attracted notable names, including to the joy and competitiveness throughout the home soccer panorama.
Gerrard launched into his managerial journey in 2018 at Rangers after retiring from his illustrious enjoying profession. He achieved success with Rangers, profitable the Scottish Premiership within the 2020-21 season. Nevertheless, he made a transfer to Aston Villa in November of the identical yr. Regardless of a promising begin at Villa Park, Gerrard struggled to take care of constant outcomes, recording 13 wins in 40 matches earlier than his dismissal. Unai Emery took over and steered the group to a robust end, securing European qualification with a seventh-place end within the desk.
Since his departure from Villa in October, Gerrard has been and not using a managerial function. The 43-year-old’s determination to affix Al-Ettifaq opens a brand new chapter in his teaching profession and presents a possibility for him to depart his mark on the quickly evolving Saudi Professional League. Gerrard will encounter acquainted faces within the league, together with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr and Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad. The league’s attract has additionally attracted midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, who just lately signed a three-year contract with Al-Nassr, departing from Internazionale in a deal price roughly £17.5 million.
As Saudi Arabia’s home league continues to make strides in its improvement, the inflow of famend soccer expertise alerts a rising ambition to lift the profile and competitiveness of the league on the worldwide stage. With Gerrard now on the helm of Al-Ettifaq, followers and soccer fans alike might be eagerly watching to see how he shapes the group and contributes to the league’s progress within the coming seasons.