The reasons behind Steven Gerrard exiting Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League have been revealed. The Liverpool legend officially confirmed his decision to leave the club last week Thursday, after spending 18 months managing the Saudi Arabian-based side.
In his debut season, the former Rangers and Aston Villa manager guided the club to their highest finish in three years, as they finished in 6th place.
However, Al-Ettifaq’s performances under Gerrard this term point to a decline in results, as he left with the club in 12th position in the standings, amidst a terrible run of just five wins in seventeen matches.
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Major factors for Steven Gerrard exiting Al-Ettifaq
According to reports, Gerrard’s departure was linked to various reasons including a series of disappointing results and performances that failed to meet the high expectations set for the team.
It was also mentioned that when Steven Gerrard agreed to take charge, his primary concern was not his own personal gains but rather the financial backing he would need to invest in building a squad capable of finishing near the top of the Saudi Pro League.
However, the realization that Al-Ettifaq could not contest with state-owned teams like Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ittihad eventually began to take a toll on the manager.
There are also talks of disagreements between the former Liverpool captain and the club’s structure regarding certain decisions, including signings of players and other tactical choices.
So many viewed his appointment in Saudi Arabia as a setback for his coaching career, especially following his largely unsuccessful stint at Aston Villa.
The exact reasons for his departure have not been fully disclosed, leaving plenty of room for speculation.
The 44-year-old has ended his stint in Saudi, but it is mostly certain that both internal club issues and personal reasons contributed to his decision to call it quits.
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