Steven Gerrard 'quits' as manager of Al-Ettifaq to end nightmare Saudi disaster

Steven Gerrard has reportedly stepped down as manager of Al-Ettifaq.

After a disappointing season that's left the club teetering on the brink of relegation in the Saudi Pro League, the ex-Aston Villa and Rangers boss has been under pressure with his team languishing in 12th place, just five points above the drop zone.

In a bid to change their fortunes last November, the club's executives brought in Dean Holden as assistant and dismissed former Ibrox sporting director Mark Allen, while Michael Beale joined to be Gerrard's right-hand man again, as he was at Rangers.

But even with the changes, the squad's form hasn't improved, and according to Saudi paper Al-Youm, Gerrard has "requested to leave" over "poor performances" with the club chiefs now "studying his decision" and eyeing up possible replacements.

Reports suggest that Gerrard was ready to quit last summer but was persuaded to stay by the club's hierarchy. However, he's now submitted an official plea to leave to the Financial Sustainability Committee for the Pro League, with a payoff deal still pending approval.

In what could be his final press conference, a frustrated Gerrard said: "I am not satisfied with the players' performance and level. I see the draw as losing two important points. I take responsibility for the result of the match, including missed opportunities and the drop in performance.

"The management of Ettifaq club has provided everything the team needs in terms of support and transfers. Injuries and the absence of key players have negatively affected performance."

After hanging up his boots in 2016, Steven Gerrard worked with Liverpool's academy before taking the reins at Rangers. After steering Rangers to the Scottish title, he ventured into the Premier League, taking over from Dean Smith at Aston Villa.

Despite high hopes, Gerrard's tenure at Villa Park was short-lived, surviving less than a year after only managing two wins in his first 12 games of the 2022/23 season. He was axed and replaced by Unai Emery, which led him to a stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq, concluding after an underwhelming 18 months