Steven Gerrard has avoided the sack as manager of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq – but the stats show exactly why he’s under pressure.
Liverpool legend Gerrard, 44, joined the Saudi outfit in July 2023. He hoped to reinvigorate his managerial career after a woeful spell at Aston Villa saw his stock plummet, but things haven’t gone well for him.
His side are winless in the league since 14 September, with just one point in their last seven. With the club 12th in the table and fans losing patience, the Al-Ettifaq board have taken action.
While they have stopped short of giving Steven Gerrard the sack, they have dismissed two of his staff.
Assistant manager Dean Holden and sporting director Mark Allen have both left the club.
In a statement, the Al-Ettifaq board said: “The board of Ettifaq, led by Mr. Samer Almisehal, has approved the recommendations of the football committee, which are as follows: Mark Allen to leave his position as executive sporting director by mutual agreement. Dean Holden to leave his position as assistant manager by mutual agreement.
“The chairman, Mr Sameer Almisehal, reaffirmed that the board is fully committed to supporting the technical staff and players in their efforts to improve the club’s position in the league and to secure a top spot in the Gulf Champions League.
“He also expressed his apologies to Ettifaq fans for the disappointing exit from the King Cup.”
Saudi Pro League Table As It Stands
Saudi Pro League table standings after ending round 10 🗒️🇸🇦
One point separates leaders Al Hilal from their nearest chasers Al Ittihad 🤏🔥 pic.twitter.com/KQQFYx6723
— All About SPL 🔔 🇸🇦 (@Saudifutbol) November 9, 2024
Despite their terrible form, Gerrard has spoken out defiantly. He believes he can turn things around, and suggested he is not as close to the sack as many think.
Gerrard said: “We must bear responsibility, and continue to correct mistakes. I am aware of the team’s poor past results, and I do not think I have reached the stage of dismissal from team management.”
Al-Ettifaq Stats Show Why Gerrard Is Close To Sack
But the stats from his time in charge of the club make for grim viewing.
Of the 48 games Gerrard has managed in all competitions, Al-Ettifaq have won just 17. Equating to a winning rate of just 35%, it’s no wonder fans are deeply unhappy.
| P | W | D | L | Win % |
| 48 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 35% |
With such a poor record, Gerrard simply has to deliver a sharp upturn in form if he is to keep his job.
The international break will provide some brief respite, but he needs results quickly.
Gerrard’s Signings Mostly Failed To Deliver
Since Gerrard took charge in July 2023, a number of familiar names have joined Al-Ettifaq.
The likes of former Liverpool stars Giorginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson made the switch, along with ex-Premier League talents Moussa Dembele and Demarai Gray.
But aside from Dembele, these arrivals have failed to deliver the goals and assists needed.
| Player | Position | Transfer Fee (€M) | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moussa Dembele | ST | Free | 38 | 17 | 3 |
| Georginio Wijnaldum | CM | 8 | 43 | 8 | 7 |
| Demarai Gray | LW | 9.3 | 29 | 4 | 5 |
| Joao Costa | RW | 9 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Abdulbasit Hindi | CB | 1.7 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jack Hendry | CB | 5 | 36 | 0 | 1 |
| Jordan Henderson | CM | 14 | 19 | 0 | 5 |
Former Fulham striker Dembele – not to be confused with his ex-Tottenham namesake – has racked up a respectable 17 goals and three assists in his 38 appearances.
He is followed by Wijnaldum, with eight goals and seven assists in 43 games.
But perhaps the biggest flop was Jordan Henderson. Gerrard’s former Liverpool teammate failed to score in 19 appearances, before joining Ajax in January 2024.
Blame can of course be levelled at the manager for making these signings, but players must also bear some responsibility.
Lack Of Financial Backing May Lead To Steven Gerrard Sack
There is one cause of the club’s problems that cannot be blamed on Gerrard, though.
A glaring difference between Al-Ettifaq and the top teams in Saudi Arabia is in their spending.
Since Gerrard took charge, Al-Ettifaq have a net spend of just €11m. This pales in comparison to the likes of Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, who have spent €453m and €260m respectively.
| Club | Net Spend Since Summer 2023 (€M) |
| Al-Hilal | 453 |
| Al-Nassr | 260 |
| Al-Ittihad | 239 |
| Al-Ahli | 220 |
| Al-Qadsiah | 84 |
| Al-Ettifaq | 11 |
While they should certainly be higher than 12th in the table, there is no way Al-Ettifaq can compete at the top end of the Saudi Pro League without spending more.
If the board plan to stick with Gerrard for the time being, they will need to give him far greater financial backing in January.
Should they continue to spend mid-table money, they can expect mid-table results.
