Steven Gerrard involved in fresh Saudi twist as shock job offer comes to light
Steven Gerrard has come under pressure in recent weeks after overseeing a poor run of results, but the Al-Ettifaq head coach will now be working with a new-look support team
by Dan Marsh · The MirrorAl-Ettifaq have all but confirmed Steven Gerrard will remain in charge by offering Michael Beale a role on the former Liverpool star's coaching team.
Gerrard, 44, has been in charge of the Saudi Pro League outfit since July 2023 but scrutiny has grown on him in recent weeks due to a winless run which stretches all the back to September.
That run has left Al-Ettifaq 12th in the league and led to the club's powerbrokers taking stock of Gerrard's position recently. Two prominent members of his backroom staff - assistant coach Dean Holden and Mark Allen, the club's sporting director - were let go earlier this month after club meetings.
It was speculated that Gerrard had been granted a stay of execution following their exits. And the imminent arrival of Beale is another sign Gerrard remains in favour.
The Athletic first revealed that the duo, who won the Scottish Premiership during their three-year spell at Rangers, are set to reunite in the Middle East with Beale 'close' to agreeing terms with Al-Ettifaq.
Since that spell, Beale has launched his own managerial career and had a spell in the Rangers hot seat himself, though he only lasted 10 months in the role. He has been unattached since leaving Sunderland, where he was sacked after just 12 games in charge.
Gerrard moved to Saudi Arabia with the intention of rebuilding his managerial career following a difficult spell at Aston Villa, but things have not gone to plan for the former England midfielder overseas.
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He did, however, guide Al-Ettifaq to a sixth-place finish during his maiden year at the helm and was handed a two-year contract extension back in January at a time where question marks were already being asked of his tenure.
Speaking recently, Gerrard fronted up in the wake of Al-Ettifaq's poor form but remained defiant in the wake of suggestions that his time at the club was up.
He said: “We must bear responsibility, and continue to correct mistakes. I am aware of the team’s poor past results, and I do not think I have reached the stage of dismissal from team management.”
Al-Ettifaq return to action this weekend when they face ninth-placed Al-Riyadh on Sunday.
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