Steven Gerrard: Englishman extends Al-Ettifaq contract until 2027
- Published
Steven Gerrard has won seven of his 21 games as Al-Ettifaq manager
Steven Gerrard has signed a two-year contract extension to stay as head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq until 2027.
The former Aston Villa boss joined the club on a two-year deal last summer.
Al-Ettifaq, who finished seventh last term, currently sit eighth in the table, 28 points behind leaders Al-Hilal.
The announcement comes after England midfielder Jordan Henderson departed the club to join Dutch giants Ajax.
In a statement Gerrard, who is reported to be one of the best-paid managers in the world on a salary of about £15m, said: "This is very pleasing for myself and my family and feels like recognition for a lot of hard work and commitment.
"We had to put in place new infrastructure, like building a new training ground in phases and building a new stadium. But a lot has been achieved."
Henderson, a former Liverpool team-mate of Gerrard, was viewed as a marquee signing, when he arrived from the Reds last July on a three-year contract worth a reported, external £700,000 a week.
However, while significant progress has been made off the pitch, Gerrard is yet to see those changes translate to the team's performance in the Pro League.
After a impressive start, masterminding five wins from the club's first seven games of the season Al-Ettifaq's form has since slumped and they had not won in their last eight matches before a six-week mid-season break.
"I understand where we are in the league, but I am very confident we will improve," added Gerrard, 43.
"The [transfer] window is open at the moment and we're working to try to identify players who could come and support the current group of players, to make us more competitive at the top end of the table."
Gerrard retired from playing in 2016 and his first managerial role was with Scottish club Rangers. He took over the Ibrox side in 2018 and led them to their first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years in 2020-21.
The former England midfielder then became Aston Villa boss in November 2021 but was sacked a year later after 13 wins from 40 games.
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