Steven Gerrard 'sack decision made' by Al-Ettifaq after talks with Saudi club's chiefs

Steven Gerrard will reportedly stay on as Al-Ettifaq manager after showdown talks with club bosses. Friday’s 3-1 defeat to leaders Al-Hilal made it seven Saudi Pro League games without a win for the Liverpool icon’s team, a run that goes back to September 14.

They now lie 12th in the table, with just 11 points from 10 top-flight matches so far.

And Gerrard’s struggles have been compounded by the humiliating King Cup of Champions exit last month, dumped out by second tier team Al-Jabalain last month.

The club’s terrible form led to talks between Gerrard and Al-Ettifaq chiefs this week. But while the 44-year-old has seemingly been kept on for now, two key members of his backroom staff appear to have departed.

According to GiveMeSport, assistant manager Dean Holden and sporting director Mark Allen have both left the club by mutual consent. Holden, 45, joined Gerrard in February this year after being sacked by Charlton, having previously had stints in charge of Oldham and Bristol City.

Allen had come on baord a month before that, having previously worked with Gerrard during their much-lauded partnership at Rangers. The Welshman played a key role in persuading the former England international to join the club.

He replaced Eelco Schattorie at Al-Ettifaq after the Dutchman resigned, citing personal reasons. Prior to working in Scotland, Allen served as the academy manager of Manchester City for eight years, and also briefly performed the same role at Swansea.

But while Gerrard has reportedly been spared, the development will be met with scepticism by many club fans and pundits. His current £15million-a-year deal runs until 2027, meaning he would be eligible for a huge pay-off if sacked.

There is also a perception that Pro League chiefs are aware that the timing of Gerrard leaving would be an embarrassment. A six-episode Netflix documentary is set to be released this month, hailing the growth and success of their venture and focusing heavily on the involvement of Gerrard and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Despite his team’s form, Gerrard has remained defiant in the media. And he denied speculation that his job was currently on the line.

“We must bear responsibility, and continue to correct mistakes,” he said. “I am aware of the team’s poor past results, and I do not think I have reached the stage of dismissal from team management.”