Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has made a dramatic return to management by taking over the reins at Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.
The 43-year-old, who enjoyed an incredible playing career at Anfield, has not returned to the dugout since he was sacked by Aston Villa after an ill-fated 11-month reign was ended in October 2022 with the Midlands outfit hovering above the Premier League's relegation zone.
But despite initially opting against a move to the Saudi Pro League outfit after talks were first held in June, Gerrard has now finalised a two-year contract to take over Al Ettifaq. The former Reds captain is the latest high-profile figure within the game to venture to the Middle East, just seven months after Cristiano Ronaldo paved the way and signed for Al Nassr following his departure from Manchester United.
Gerrard was pictured arriving at the club's training base last month as he jetted out to Gulf State to thrash out talks with officials. But speaking during a punditry appearance on Channel 4 just days later as England hosted North Macedonia at Old Trafford, Gerrard said: "I was invited over there to look at a potential offer, which I did. I have been analysing that over the last couple of days. But, as we stand right now, I won't be taking that offer up."
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After a contract signing took place in London on Monday afternoon, the club's president Khaled Al -Dabal expressed his delight at securing Gerrard's services on a two-year deal in what he described as a "quantum leap" for the Saudi Pro League.
"Without a doubt, Gerrard’s presence will be an addition and a quantum leap to our league as he is the first English coach to work in the Roshen League," said Al Dabal. "And God willing, there will be subsequent technical additions to support the team so that Fares Al-Dahna will appear strongly during the new season’s competitions."
The Saudi Pro League outfit is the third assignment of Gerrard's fledgling managerial career after he left his post at Liverpool's academy in 2018 to become the manager of Scottish Premiership giants Rangers. During his time at Ibrox, the 43-year-old wrested back the SPL title from bitter rivals Celtic after nearly a decade of dominance. He also made the Gers a force to be reckoned with in the Europa League.
His return to the Premier League would come after Aston Villa, in their first season without captain and talisman Jack Grealish, sacked Dean Smith in October 2021. However, Gerrard would manage just 12 wins in 38 Premier League games as an injury-savaged Villa squad tumbled towards the bottom of the division.
