Steven Gerrard’s managerial career takes a monumental leap with a game-changing move
As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia embarks on an ambitious quest to entice renowned football personalities to the Middle East for the upcoming season, speculations linking Steven Gerrard to this grand pursuit were inevitable.
Though the legendary former Liverpool captain officially hung up his boots in November 2016, his status as a global icon in the world of football remains unblemished. With various teams across Saudi Arabia fervently seeking to acquire prominent players, Gerrard’s name emerged as a potential addition to the star-studded dugouts.
The imminent arrivals of Karim Benzema and Ruben Neves, set to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League next season, alongside a constellation of other notable figures if recent reports hold true, underline Saudi Arabia’s endeavor to diversify its substantial wealth into the realm of football.
In January, it was reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had launched an investment fund to support sports and tourism infrastructure, among other sectors. Following Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr in November, another major European football star, the current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema, joined him earlier this month, bidding farewell to his illustrious tenure at Real Madrid to sign a three-year deal with Al Ittihad.
While Gerrard’s playing days have definitively concluded, his inclusion as a renowned midfielder would have been another feather in the cap for the Scottish Premiership as they strive to recruit high-profile figures from across Europe for their apparent revolution.
Recent developments indicated that Gerrard was inching closer to becoming the manager of Al-Ettifaq, having flown to the region shortly after providing analysis for BT Sport during the Champions League final in Istanbul on June 3.
Flattered and intrigued by the offer, Gerrard contemplated a return to coaching after a challenging stint with Aston Villa concluded last year. However, after intense speculation, the former England international revealed during Channel 4’s coverage of the Three Lions’ 7-0 victory over North Macedonia at Old Trafford that he had ultimately decided against the move.
“A lot has been said in the media, and a lot of it is not true,” Gerrard clarified. “I was invited over there to explore a potential offer, which I did, and I have been evaluating it over the past couple of days. As of now, I won’t be accepting that offer.”
While the financial packages presented to prospective arrivals in the Saudi Pro League are undeniably extraordinary, considering the league’s current standing, there seems to be little else to entice individuals, especially football managers seeking to rebuild their reputations.
From a purely sporting perspective, Gerrard would gain little from a move to Dammam. If the former Reds skipper believes he has unfinished business as a manager or wishes to restore his standing after parting ways with Villa, a transition to Al-Ettifaq holds minimal value.
It would likely take decades and billions of dollars in investment before the Saudi Pro League could be regarded on par with any of the elite European leagues. At present, the prevailing perception suggests that players and managers flock to the region primarily driven by staggering financial benefits, rather than the league’s sporting merit.
As a young and enthusiastic manager, armed with decades of experience playing under some of the game’s finest coaches, Gerrard’s venture into Saudi Arabia would appear incongruous at this juncture.
Could any Premier League employer genuinely weigh achievements in a division ranked outside the top 25 worldwide? It is doubtful that even the most exceptional accomplishments would significantly impact the perception.
Consequently, a move to Saudi Arabia, from a purely football standpoint, would have left Gerrard in a precarious position. Thus, the former Rangers boss is astutely opting to patiently await his next opportunity, wherever that may arise.