Steven Gerrard is set to make a return to management after being spotted arriving for talks in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to become the new Al-Ettifaq boss.
Gerrard and his entourage were filmed leaving a car and entering Al-Ettifaq's headquarters on Monday. The Liverpool legend is expected to become the Saudi club's new manager, eight months after he was sacked by Premier League side Aston Villa.
Several football icons have moved to Saudi Arabia in recent months - including Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema - with others rumoured. Al-Ettifaq are not considered as one of the country's 'big four' clubs and finished seventh in the Pro League this season.
Gerrard has been linked with Leeds and Leicester, who both suffered relegation from the Premier League last month. Leeds are yet to appoint a successor to Sam Allardyce, while Dean Smith could still leave Leicester when his contract expires later this month. Yet it appears Gerrard will continue his managerial career abroad.
This most recent Pro League campaign finished last month, with Ronaldo's Al-Nassr finishing second behind Al-Ittihad. Next season is scheduled to get underway in August, giving Gerrard plenty of time to get to know Al-Ettifaq's players if he accepts the job.
Al-Ettifaq have won the Pro League twice but not since 1987. Their squad includes Tunisia international Naim Sliti, former Flamengo forward Vitinho and Sweden's Robin Quaison.
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Gerrard is best known for his time at Liverpool, where he won nine trophies - including the 2005 Champions League - and made more the 700 professional appearances. The all-action midfielder hung up his boots in 2016 after an 18-month spell at LA Galaxy.
Gerrard's maiden job in first-team management was at Rangers. He led the Glasgow club to the Scottish Premiership title in 2021. That triumph ended Celtic's dominance north of the border and saw him billed as Jurgen Klopp's eventual successor at Liverpool.
Gerrard's success in Scotland persuaded Villa to appoint him in November 2021, but he was fired after just 11 months in charge with the team hovering above the relegation zone. His replacement Unai Emery subsequently guided Villa to European qualification.
Gerrard has been working as a pundit for BT Sport since leaving Villa Park but revealed his desire to return to management in January. He said: "I wish I still was [in management].
"I think when you're around the pitch, in the stadium, you see the teams come in, you speak to Jurgen, you get that buzz of a feeling of a matchday - I don't think I'll ever lose that or not want to be involved in that.
"I am enjoying it at the moment being around my family, watching football. I'm enjoying being back here today stress-free, but I think if you love the game and you've got it in your DNA you're always going to miss it."
