18 January 2024 , 12:21
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Steven Gerrard has doubled down on his commitment to Al-Ettifaq, despite Jordan Henderson’s abrupt exit showing cracks in his project in Saudi Arabia.
Henderson is close to sealing his departure from Al-Ettifaq, with the 33-year-old midfielder leaving for Ajax. The former Liverpool captain terminated his contract with the Saudi Pro League side just six months after arriving in an initial whirlwind of positivity.
His exit damages his own credibility majorly, but it also comes as a blow to Gerrard, who was the one who ultimately persuaded the England international to move to Saudi Arabia. Gerrard has endured a very difficult start as manager of Al-Ettifaq, winning just seven of his first 21 matches for the club.
Al-Ettifaq sit eighth in the Saudi Pro League, well off the pace set by leaders Al-Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo ’s Al-Nassr in second. They are without a win in their past nine matches across all competitions, but Gerrard is not deterred by their form, or the loss of his marquee player and captain.
The Athletic reports that the 43-year-old has agreed a two-year contract extension with Al-Ettifaq, keeping him at the club until 2027. He has apparently been persuaded by the club’s plans to pursue more high-profile players.
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Although they have lost Henderson, Al-Ettifaq have ex-Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum, former Leicester winger Demarai Gray and ex-Lyon striker Moussa Dembele as their key overseas talents. Gerrard is hoping that, despite their poor form, the club can attract some more heavyweight players from Europe.
Saudi clubs have made a splash in the market by luring big-name players with the allure of gigantic wages. Henderson was signed from Liverpool on a three-year contract worth around £350,000 per week.
Jordan Henderson's departure weakens Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq side (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Steven Gerrard turn things around at Al-Ettifaq? Comment below.
Having initially rejected their approach, Gerrard joined Al-Ettifaq in July following a spell out of management after being sacked by Aston Villa in October 2022. He struggled to make an impact at Villa, who have since been transformed by Unai Emery, but the former Liverpool captain showed his capabilities at previous club Rangers.
Gerrard toppled Celtic to win the Scottish Premiership with Rangers in 2020/21 and was frequently linked with becoming Jurgen Klopp ’s successor at Liverpool. But his reputation took a major hit at Villa and he chose to move to Saudi Arabia for a fresh start.
It has not gone to plan so far, with meagre crowds turning out to see his struggling side. Henderson’s arrival, alongside Wijnaldum, Gray and Dembele has not turned things around, with results extremely hard to come by.
Explaining why he joined Al-Ettifaq in July, Gerrard said: “It needs to be right for my family first and foremost, we have to be excited and motivated by the challenge. I think the football project needs to be ambitious, it needs to be for the right reasons in terms of the challenge and the remit. And of course, you need to feel secure, that the contract is right, but that always comes at the very end.”