Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has welcomed Ian Foster as one of his assistants at Saudi Arabia Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.
Foster, who like Gerrard was born in Whiston, enjoyed success with England Under-19s, winning the European Under-19 Championship in 2022, before moving up to become the head coach of the country's Under-20s team, who he led to a last-16 finish at this year's FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The ECHO understands that the 46-year-old's new role will not run in conjunction with his managerial position in the England youth system after resigning from his post. Last week, Foster was unveiled on the Al-Ettifaq coaching staff alongside Gerrard, Tom Culshaw, Jordan Milsom and analyst Ray Shearwood, who joined from Liverpool earlier this month.
Earlier this month Gerrard was unveiled as the latest former Premier League manager to make the move to the Saudi Pro League as he penned a two-year deal with Al-Ettifaq. Top-flight English stars such as Ruben Neves, N'Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly have already made the move to the region, along with current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema, who has joined his former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo in the league.
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A striker during his career, Foster plied his trade with Liverpool's youth team, where he featured alongside Gerrard. He went on to enjoy a career in non-league with Hereford United, Barrow, Kidderminster Harriers and Chester City before a spell in Ireland with Galway United.
His coaching portfolio features spells with Coventry City and Portsmouth - alongside Paul Cook - before moving to the Three Lions with England U17s alongside Steve Cooper and Mike Marsh. During Phil Neville's time as England Women's head coach, Foster was his assistant coach.
Gerrard is enjoying his first days back in management after taking first-team training over the weekend during Al Ettifaq's training camp in Croatia.
"I think there were a lot of reasons for me wanting to join the club," the former Rangers and Aston Villa manager said in his club interview. "I think the club has a lot of good people who represent the club from the board down.
"When I went down to Saudi I got a real family feel, they made me feel extremely welcome. There are three things that I always consider and they are in a particular order.
"It needs to be right for my family first and foremost, we have to be excited and motivated by the challenge. I think the football project needs to be ambitious, it needs to be for the right reasons in terms of the challenge and the remit.
"And of course you need to feel secure, that the contract is right, but that always comes at the very end. It was a combination of reasons and I'm extremely excited and happy. I can't wait to start and meet all the supporters and all the players.
"But the people I have met so far that represent Al-Ettifaq have been absolutely outstanding and I think we share a lot of things in common."
