Gerrard leaves Al-Ettifaq after 18 months in Saudi Arabia

The former Liverpool midfielder has been linked with a return to Rangers

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Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard has left Al-Ettifaq by mutual consent after a disappointing 18-month spell with the Saudi Arabian club.

Former Liverpool and England midfielder Gerrard leaves with the Dammam-based club 12th in the 18-team league, just five points outside the relegation zone.

Al-Ettifaq have won just two of their last 14 Pro League games with fans’ frustrations at their slide down the table becoming more intense in recent weeks.

“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 doubt that the work being done will bring success in the future and I wish the team the very best for the rest of the season.”

Ettifaq club president, Same Al Misehal said: “Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but the firm foundations he helped build will guarantee a bright future in the long term.

“He changed the club for the better and that will never be forgotten. This decision, made with mutual respect an in agreement is in the best interest of both Steven and the club as we move forward.”

Gerrard guided the club to a sixth-placed finish in his only full season in charge and was rewarded with a two-year contract extension in January 2024 worth a reported Β£300,000 a week.

However, cracks started to appear at the start of this season with his assistant Dean Holden and sporting director Mark Allen both sacked.

Speculation has already started suggesting Gerrard is in line to return to Rangers, with whom he won the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership and denied Celtic a 10th successive league title.

He subsequently joined Aston Villa but was sacked after 11 months following a poor start to the 2022-23 campaign.

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Picture of Jon Fisher

Jon Fisher

Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.

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