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Following a successful beginning in Saudi Arabia, Steven Gerrard is facing difficulties at Al-Ettifaq. The ex-Liverpool captain had a strong start in the eastern region with five victories in the first seven matches of the Saudi Pro League. However, the team has not been able to secure a win in the past eight games and with a six-week break due to the Asian Cup, the pressure is mounting.
In Saudi Arabia, the norm is for coaching changes to occur frequently, with 13 changes happening in the 18-team league this season. Clubs are known for their harsh treatment of coaches, with success often being short-lived. Nuno Espírito Santo was let go in November, only five months after leading Al-Ittihad to their first title since 2009. Two of Steven Gerrard’s former Liverpool teammates have also had a tough time – Igor Biscan was fired in mid-October from his job at Al-Shabab and Robbie Fowler was let go after four months at Al-Qadsiah, despite not losing any games.
Ettifaq has experienced over 30 alterations in this century alone. As a result, Gerrard faces a challenging history, but his status as a renowned former player has ultimately protected him. In this region, most coaching changes do not receive much attention, but Gerrard’s presence attracts international focus and perhaps a bit more tolerance.
What is the amount in question? The strong beginning was aided by the goals from Moussa Dembélé and the attacking efforts of Sweden’s Robin Quaison. Both players scored in the iconic 2-1 victory against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the first game. Jordan Henderson, Ettifaq’s star acquisition, initially appeared to struggle in the hot conditions of the early season, but he quickly formed a connection with Dembélé and things were looking promising. There was a shortage of creativity, but the addition of another former Liverpool player, Georginio Wijnaldum, helped in that aspect.
In September, Quaison stopped scoring goals and Dembélé was also unable to play due to an injury, leaving the French forward out of the game for a few months. His absence was strongly felt by the team. Ettifaq is one of the six teams with the lowest number of goals scored. This was clear in their last game of 2023, where they should have easily won against last-placed Al-Hazm at home, but instead, they allowed a late penalty to tie the game 1-1.
Several days earlier, Gerrard had a meeting with club representatives and expressed the need for additional signings. He stated, “We must be proactive, merciless, and make significant changes in order to improve the competitiveness of this team.”
“We must demonstrate in both the current and upcoming transfer windows that we are serious about competing at the top of the league and not content with our current position. This requires a collective effort from the players to give more and for individuals to step up. When the time is right, we will make significant changes to our team and squad. By the end of January, we hope to have a stronger and more competitive squad.”
Many foreign coaches in Saudi Arabia do not experience the same level of public demand for transfer activity that Gerrard has. This may be because in the past, these coaches would only spend a short period of time in the country before leaving with little impact on their coaching track record. However, Gerrard’s situation appears to be different. While a successful coaching stint in Saudi Arabia may not completely restore his reputation, another failure would only add to the belief that he is not cut out for a managerial role. The highly coveted Liverpool job, which was once seen as Gerrard’s destiny, now seems like a distant possibility.
Ettifaq, who finished seventh last season with some luck, surprised everyone by challenging the top two teams in the league – Al-Hilal, who have won 18 championships, and Al-Nassr, also known as the Jeddah giants. Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, the other members of the “Big Four”, were taken over by the country’s Public Investment Fund last summer and have since seen an influx of money and big-name players. However, other teams cannot use this as an excuse. Unfashionable Al-Taawoun, under the expert leadership of the well-travelled Péricles Chamusca, are currently in fourth place. Damac and Al-Fateh are also teams that have achieved success despite less investment.
Supporters are beginning to voice their frustrations. Gerrard’s reputation in the sport has aided in his longevity, and it is likely to continue for a while longer. However, it is uncertain for how much longer he will remain.
Source: theguardian.com
