Steven Gerrard has been appointed as the new manager of Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq.
Gerrard replaces Antonio Cazorla, the Spaniard who had been placed in temporary charge at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium following the exit of Frenchman Patrice Carteron back in February.
The Liverpool legend was spotted in the Middle East earlier this summer for talks which collapsed, prompting him to declare that he was not currently interested in the offer to return to the dugout.
However, multiple reports on Monday stated that Gerrard would in fact be making the move to Ettifaq, who have now confirmed the deal.
While working as a pundit for Channel 4 during England’s recent Euro 2024 qualifiers, Gerrard said: “I was invited over there to look at a potential offer, which I did.
“But, as we stand right now, I won't be taking that offer up.”
Gerrard, 43, has been out of work since October when he was sacked by Aston Villa after only 11 months at the helm following a poor start to the Premier League season. His only previous senior job in management came at Rangers, where he won the 2021 Scottish Premiership title.
Where legends are found ❤️💚
— Ettifaq Club (@Ettifaq_EN) July 3, 2023
We’re thrilled to announce Steven Gerrard is our new head coach ✍️#GerrardEttifaqi pic.twitter.com/hgeHl1Djnu
Ettifaq finished seventh in the 16-team Saudi Pro League last season and are not one of the four teams recently taken over by the government’s Public Investment Fund, which has prompted a massive investment in the transfer market.
The chief players with significant European experience in Gerrard’s new squad are Tunisian striker Naim Sliti, former Mainz winger Robin Quaison and North Macedonia international Darko Velkovski.
