Gerrard leaves Al-Ettifaq after 18 months in charge

After 18 months in charge of the club, Steven Gerrard has agreed to step down as Al-Ettifaq manager.

In July 2023, the former Aston Villa and Rangers manager quit the Saudi Arabian club.

In January 2024, former Liverpool midfielder Gerrard agreed to extend his two-year contract until 2027, which was supposed to extend it.

Al-Ettifaq are currently five points above the relegation zone with just five of their 17 league games this year.

“Football is unpredictable and sometimes things don’t go the way we want”, said Gerrard.

“However, I leave with great respect for the club and the country. I have no doubts about the success of the work being done, and I wish the team the best of luck the rest of the season.

I was greeted warmly the first day, and I have since enjoyed working in a different culture.

Overall, I’ve learned a lot, and it’s helped both my family and I personally.

Ettifaq club president, Same Al Misehal, said Gerrard transformed the club during his year-and-a-half in charge.

The solid foundations he helped lay will ensure a bright future in the long run, he said. “Sometimes things don’t go as planned.

He “changed the club significantly,” he said, “and that will never be forgotten. As we progress, Steven and the club are most interested in making this decision with mutual respect and agreement.

After a stellar playing career at Liverpool and England, 44-year-old Gerrard joined Rangers in 2018 and helped them win their first Scottish Premiership title in ten years in 2020/21.

In November 2021, he took over as Villa manager from Dean Smith, but he was fired after only 13 wins in 40 games.

In his first year in charge, Gerrard led Al-Ettifaq to a sixth-place finish.

But he leaves with them 12th in a 16-team league, having won 23 of his 59 matches in charge, with only five wins this campaign.

During his time in Saudi Arabia, Gerrard reportedly received about £15 million annually as one of the highest-paid managers in the world.