Steven Gerrard appointed manager of Saudi side Al Ettifaq
- Gerrard returns to management after leaving Aston Villa in 2022
- Former Liverpool midfielder originally turned down the move but has now accepted
By Sean Walsh
Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq have the appointment of Steven Gerrard as their new manager.
The former midfielder has been out of work since being sacked by Aston Villa in October 2022 with the club precariously placed above the relegation zone. His successor, Unai Emery, led them to a seventh-place finish, securing Europa Conference League football.
Gerrard has since made sporadic appearances as a pundit on Channel 4 and BT Sport, and it was during one of those appearances that he revealed he had originally rejected a move to Saudi Arabia.
90min understands that Gerrard was hoping to secure jobs with either Leicester or Leeds but, with approaches from the two relegated sides not forthcoming, he has taken up Al Ettifaq's offer.
READ MORE ON THE PLAYERS LINKED TO SAUDI ARABIA & THE MONEY ON OFFER
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Al Ettifaq finished seventh in the Saudi Pro League this season, nine points clear of the relegation zone but a staggering 30 points off an Asian Champions League spot.
Unlike some of the Saudi Pro League's big hitters, Al Ettifaq do not have a superstar name in their squad, but they have been speculatively linked with Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane.
Mane has, however, rejected the chance to move to Saudi Arabia.
Currently on the books at Al Ettifaq are Sweden forward Robin Quaison and formerly Napoli winger Amin Younes.
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