Ian Foster has left his post as England Under-20s head coach to join Steven Gerrard’s backroom staff at Saudi club Al Ettifaq, it is understood.
The 46-year-old led England at this summer’s Under-20 World Cup in Argentina, where they lost 2-1 in the last 16 to Italy having topped a group containing eventual winners Uruguay.
Neither the Football Association nor Al Ettifaq has confirmed Foster’s move, but PA understands he has linked up with Gerrard in the Middle East.
Former Liverpool captain Gerrard, whose previous managerial post was at Aston Villa, signed a three-year contract with Al Ettifaq last week.
Meanwhile, Gerrard has revealed the three key considerations before accepting the job; his family, the project and the security of contract.
In his first interview - with Al-Ettfaq club media - Gerrard said: "I think there were a lot of reasons for me wanting to join the club.
"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."
Asked for his message to the Al-Ettifaq fans, Gerrard added: "I think my message to the supporters is I am really happy, I'm really excited.
"I'm a coach, a manager, that is very ambitious that likes to work tirelessly to make sure that the team is very competitive.
"I'm looking forward to meeting the supporters and so are my staff. If we're all united, we're all together and stay aligned, I'm sure we can achieve our goals together."
