Steven Gerrard has been appointed as the head coach of Saudi Pro-League team Al Ettifaq.
It is the former Liverpool captain’s first job since leaving Aston Villa last October.
Gerrard initially turned down an offer from Al Ettifaq after he traveled to Saudi Arabia for talks last month. However, talks resumed last week when the club officially confirmed his appointment on Monday.
Before managing Villa, Gerrard managed Rangers for three years, whom he led to the Scottish title in 2020/21.
The Saudi Arabian Sports Ministry announced on June 5 that the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) would take control of four Saudi Pro League teams.
PIF – which owns an 80 per cent stake in Premier League club Newcastle United – will control 75 per cent of Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Hilal and Al Nassr, while the other 25 per cent will be controlled by a non-profit organisation.
Al Ettifaq, based in the city of Dammam, is not one of the four.
The Saudi government announced the plans as part of the country’s “Vision 2030” project.
In January, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr while Al Hilal tried to lure Lionel Messi with a €400m-a-year deal before settling on Inter Miami.
Karim Benzema joined Al Ittihad last month, where he will play at the Saudi Pro League champions under former Premier League coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
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