Former Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard insists he does not plan to take up a job offer from Saudi Arabia "as things stand", while shedding some more light on the approach he received.
The 43-year-old has been out of work since leaving Villa Park a few weeks into the 2022-23 season. He previously served as Rangers boss, and also spent time on Liverpool's coaching staff.
Al-Ettifaq have been in contact over a move for the manager, while Olympiacos and Poland were previously mentioned as potential destinations. For now, though, Gerrard appears to be biding his time rather than rushing into his next job.
"A lot has been said in the media, a lot of it is not true," Gerrard told Channel 4. He was appearing on the broadcaster's coverage of England's Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia, and was asked about Ettifaq's approach prior to kick-off at Old Trafford.
"I was invited over there to look at a potential offer, which I did, and I have been analysing that over the last couple of days," he continued. "But, as we stand right now, I won’t be taking that offer up."
Gerrard took over as Villa boss in November 2021, replacing Dean Smith with the team at risk of relegation. He secured survival in his first season, but they sat down in 17th when he was sacked in October 2022.
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Gerrard also spoke highly of England before kick-off, and while North Macedonia might have provided a potential banana-skin, three first-half goals helped settle nerves. Harry Kane broke the deadlock in the 29th minute before further efforts from Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford made things even more comfortable for Gareth Southgate's team.
"They are in a fantastic place," the former Liverpool star said. "I think Gareth (Southgate) must be really pleased with how it has gone so far.
"They won a tough game in Italy, cruised against Malta and I have got every confidence that they will do the same tonight. They are a team full of confidence at the moment. "
If Gerrard does decide he fancies a move to Saudi Arabia, he won't be the first big European name to take the plunge. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr midway through last season, with Karim Benzema joining his former Real Madrid team-mate in the gulf state this summer.
Ronaldo's Portugal colleague Ruben Neves is also on his way to the Saudi Pro League, while a number of Chelsea players have been linked with a move. Hakim Ziyech could become a team-mate of Ronaldo's, while Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have all been mentioned as targets for Saudi sides.
