Steven Gerrard reveals why he took Al-Ettifaq job

Steven Gerrard says he spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson for advice after being sacked by Aston Villa and before taking the Al-Ettifaq job in Saudi Arabia.

The former Liverpool and England midfielder headed to the Middle East last year having had spells in charge of Aston Villa and Rangers but failed to make a dramatic impact.

His arrival sparked mixed reactions from fans, who immediately assumed that the 43-year-old took the Saudi Pro League job for the money.

But for the first time in almost a year, Gerrard has spoken out on why he took the controversial career step.

Speaking exclusively to The Times, he said: “I was financially secure a long time ago.

“So, I would not come to Saudi for money. Was it part of it? Yes. Was it the only thing that made me do it? One million per cent, no.

Steven Gerrard says he went to see former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after being sacked by Aston Villa ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/t5XiyrCYEC

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 29, 2024

“I didn’t want to jump into something that didn’t feel right and take an unnecessary risk when I am a young coach.

“I’ve had success up to a certain point. I actually felt my own performance at Villa was really good. I actually felt I went to the next level in terms of what I had learnt from Rangers. I felt like I had grown.

“But we had a bad run of results. I have to own that and take full responsibility for that.

“I have to learn from my mistakes. Maybe do things slightly differently and grow and evolve. That’s the only way you can move on from a setback or a knock.”

The interview reveals Gerrard’s sacking from Aston Villa hit him hard.

He was in charge at Villa Park for just short of a year and it represented the first real major setback of his managerial career.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🗣️ Steven Gerrard: “I would not come to Saudi for money. Was it part of it? Yes. Was it the only thing that made me do it? One million per cent, no.”…

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Author : Mitch Fretton

Publish date : 2024-05-29 17:54:55

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