Dammam: Steven Gerrard stepped down on Thursday as the manager of the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, with mutual consent, after 18 months in charge. “After careful consideration, the club and I have mutually agreed to part ways. This was not an easy decision, but sometimes in football, things don’t work out as planned. The Saudi Pro League is a tough and competitive league, and I have nothing but respect for the players and staff who give their all every day,” Gerrard said on X.

According to Anadolu Agency, Al-Ettifaq hired Gerrard as their manager in July 2023 on a two-season contract but decided to part ways with him following a series of poor results. Gerrard expressed his gratitude towards the club, saying, “I want to sincerely thank everyone at the club for their support and hard work. Football in Saudi Arabia is moving in the right direction, and I will always appreciate my time here. Wishing the team and the fans nothing but success moving forward.”

During his time at Al-Ettifaq, the team managed to secure only five wins out of 17 matches, collecting 19 points and leaving them five points above the relegation zone. This performance led to the mutual decision for Gerrard to step down.

Before his role at Al-Ettifaq, the 44-year-old Gerrard served as head coach for Glasgow Rangers and Aston Villa. His managerial career in Scotland was marked by a notable achievement when he led Rangers to win the Scottish Premiership in 2021 without suffering a loss.

As a player, Gerrard enjoyed a stellar career with Liverpool, scoring 186 goals and providing 155 assists in 710 appearances between 1998 and 2015. He played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s victories in the 2001 UEFA Cup and the 2005 UEFA Champions League. His contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the Premier League’s Hall of Fame in May 2021.