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Following a strong beginning in Saudi Arabia, Steven Gerrard is facing difficulties at Al-Ettifaq. Initially, the ex-Liverpool captain had a successful start in the eastern part of the country, 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 last eight games and with a six-week break due to the Asian Cup, there is mounting pressure on the club.
In Saudi Arabia, it is common for coaching changes to occur frequently. This season, there have been 13 changes in the 18-team league. Clubs are known for their harshness, and success is often short-lived. In November, Nuno Espírito Santo was let go after only five months with Al-Ittihad, despite leading them to their first title in 10 years. Two of Steven Gerrard’s former Liverpool teammates also faced difficulties – Igor Biscan was let go from his job at Al-Shabab in mid-October and Robbie Fowler was fired in October after four months at Al-Qadsiah, even though he did not lose a game.
Ettifaq has experienced over 30 modifications in this current century. Thus, Gerrard faces challenges due to his lack of success, but his reputation as a renowned ex-player has been his saving grace. In this region, coaching changes typically do not garner much media coverage. However, Gerrard’s presence attracts international attention and allows for a bit more tolerance.
What is the amount in question? The strong beginning was aided by goals from Moussa Dembélé and the attacking performance of Sweden’s Robin Quaison. Both players scored in the notable 2-1 victory against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the first game. Although Jordan Henderson, Ettifaq’s star signing, may have initially struggled in the heat of the early season matches, he quickly developed a rapport with Dembélé and things were looking promising. While there was a shortage of creativity, the addition of another former Liverpool player, Georginio Wijnaldum, helped in that aspect.
In September, Quaison’s scoring decreased, while Dembélé was out due to injury for a few months. This was a significant loss for the team. Ettifaq has scored fewer goals than only six other teams. This was evident in the last game of 2023 when Ettifaq should have won against Al-Hazm, the last place team. However, the visitors were able to secure a 1-1 draw with a penalty in injury time.
Several days earlier, Gerrard had a meeting with representatives from the club and expressed his desire for additional signings. He stated, “We must be proactive, we must be relentless, and we must implement numerous changes in order to improve the competitiveness of this team.”
In both the current and upcoming transfer window, we must demonstrate our determination to succeed and compete at the top of the league. Our current position is not where we aspire to be. It is a joint effort – the players must give more and individuals must rise to the occasion. When the timing is right, we plan to make significant improvements to our team and roster. By the end of January, we aim to have a stronger and more competitive squad.
There is a significant desire from the public for transfer activity in Saudi Arabia, but it is not something that many foreign coaches have pursued. This could be due to the fact that in the past, coaches from South America or the Balkans would come for one season and leave without making a significant impact on their resume, whether positive or negative. However, Gerrard’s situation seems to be different. Despite his unsuccessful stint at Aston Villa, achieving success in Saudi Arabia may not fully restore his coaching reputation. On the other hand, another failure would only reinforce the belief that Gerrard lacks the necessary skills to be a successful manager. It appears that the Liverpool job, which was once seen as Gerrard’s destiny, is now out of reach.
No one could have predicted that Ettifaq, who finished seventh last season thanks to some luck, would be able to compete with the top two teams, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. These two teams have a combined 18 championship titles and are known as the giants of Jeddah. The other two teams in the “Big Four,” Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, were recently acquired by the country’s Public Investment Fund and have been heavily invested in with money and big-name players. However, there is less justification for other teams. Despite not being as well-known, Al-Taawoun, expertly managed by the highly experienced Péricles Chamusca, is currently in fourth place. Even teams like Damac and Al-Fateh, who have not received as much investment, have been able to achieve success.
Supporters are beginning to express their dissatisfaction. Gerrard’s reputation in the sport has allowed him to endure this far, and most likely will continue to do so for a while longer, but it’s difficult to determine for how much longer.
Source: theguardian.com
