Steven Gerrard has broken his silence on his move to Al-Ettifaq in his first interview as manager of the Saudi club.
The former Rangers manager finalised a switch to the Saudi Pro League side on a two-year deal last week.
It had appeared Gerrard would not make the major move after appearing to rule out joining the club before a U-turn as he was announced on Monday.
Now, Gerrard has revealed the three key considerations before accepting the job; his family, the project and the security of contract.
In his first interview - with Al-Ettfaq club media - Gerrard said: "I think there were a lot of reasons for me wanting to join the club.
"I think the club has a lot of good people who represent the club from the board down.
"When I went down to Saudi I got a real family feel, they made me feel extremely welcome.
"There are three things that I always consider and they are in a particular order.
"It needs to be right for my family first and foremost, we have to be excited and motivated by the challenge.
"I think the football project needs to be ambitious, it needs to be for the right reasons in terms of the challenge and the remit.
"And of course you need to feel secure, that the contract is right, but that always comes at the very end.
"It was a combination of reasons and I'm extremely excited and happy. I can't wait to start and meet all the supporters and all the players.
"But the people I have met so far that represent Al-Ettifaq have been absolutely outstanding and I think we share a lot of things in common."
Asked for his message to the Al-Ettifaq fans, Gerrard added: "I think my message to the supporters is I am really happy, I'm really excited.
"I'm a coach, a manager, that is very ambitious that likes to work tirelessly to make sure that the team is very competitive.
"I'm looking forward to meeting the supporters and so are my staff. If we're all united, we're all together and stay aligned, I'm sure we can achieve our goals together."
Gerrard returns to the dugout after being dismissed by Aston Villa last year following a dismal run of form.
And the Liverpool legend is hopeful he can help build the Saudi league into one of the best in the world through his arrival along with a string of world-class names.
He said: "I think the league will continue to grow and evolve I think with fantastic support from the government and ministers and all the clubs throughout the Saudi Pro League, all the supporters, the players, everyone that is involved.
Ambition. Vision. Football. Watch 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗬 the first words of Steven Gerrard at #Ettifaq 🎙️#GerrardEttifaqi pic.twitter.com/9Uma4rqyAY
— Ettifaq Club (@Ettifaq_EN) July 9, 2023
"We all have an ambition to continue to grow and evolve and make it one of the best leagues in the world.
"I think the club already has an outstanding culture, it already has fantastic support, it has a really important president - we are about to change to a new president - but the board are all aligned, they are all ambitious, very good people who give a lot of time and effort into the club so I want to be part of that culture.
"I want to bring my own standards to try and help and improve from the playing side, I am really looking forward to building relationships with the people above me and hopefully together we can be the support that the team needs to grow, get better and move up the table."
