Steven Gerrard is the latest big-name football icon to be linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
After hanging up his boots on an illustrious football career, the former Liverpool player moved into management and Saudi side Al Ettifaq have made him an offer to take on the manager’s job.
Al Ettifaq finished in seventh place in the Kingdom’s 16-team league last season.
Steven Gerrard mulls Saudi contract offer
French daily L’Equipe reported that an offer has been made to Gerrard, who has asked for time to consider his options.
Steven Gerrard played 710 games and scored 185 times for Liverpool in a trophy-filled career that also saw him captain his boyhood club.
Widely regarded as one of the finest footballers of his generation, and England’s finest ever midfielders, he is best remembered for leading Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005.
Following a short stint in America’s MLS with LA Galaxy at the end of his playing days, Steven Gerrard’s managerial career also started well.
His first senior football management job saw Gerrard take Glasgow Rangers to an historic league and cup double in a season in which they went undefeated.
A spell with Aston Villa in the Premier League ended unsuccessfully and Gerrard has been without a club since October of last year.
Al Ettifaq are based in Dammam, Saudi Arabia and like many teams in the Kingdom have high ambitions for the development of football in coming years.
Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines around the world when he joined Al Nassr at the turn of the year.
Since then, many of the world’s biggest stars have been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. While prize asset, Lionel Messi, opted instead to move to Inter Miami in the MLS, top striker Karim Benzema emerged as the latest big-money player to accept an offer to play in Saudi Arabia.
Benzema joined league champions Al Ittihad and more star players are expected to join over the summer.
Although his plying days are over, very few current players have the same star quality as Steven Gerrard still commands and it would be a major coup for Al Ettifaq if he makes the move.
Follow us on
