Steven Gerrard Liverpool return verdict after Al-Ettifaq exit

Liverpool return, Klopp offer, punditry - Steven Gerrard next move after Al-Ettifaq exit

Is a Liverpool return on the cards now that Steven Gerrard has left Al-Ettifaq? The ECHO's writers have their say

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Steven Gerrard has been under the spotlight throughout his time at Al-Ettifaq, even more so now that he has reportedly offered his resignation. The former Liverpool captain must now assess his options in the coming months - that is if any avenues do actually present themselves.

Saudi newspaper Al Youm reported Gerrard's unexpected request to leave the club he took charge of in summer 2023, allegedly owing to 'poor performances'. Particularly in the current campaign, in which Ettifaq currently sit 12th in the Saudi Pro League - five points above the relegation zone - after 17 matches, the Anfield icon has found himself heavily scrutinised.

And Sky Sports have since reported that Gerrard has left the struggling Saudi club by mutual consent.

In line with the Saudi Pro League's revolution attracting the biggest names in football with lucrative wages, the 44-year-old was charged with turning his new club into challengers at the top end of the table. To help, he was given £39.3m to recruit players including former Liverpool stars Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum, plus ex-Everton man Demarai Gray.

But it appears the Gulf state adventure is coming to an end, and with it the latest step in Gerrard's peculiar post-playing career. He once took his first steps in retirement as a coach at the Reds' academy, balanced with punditry duties at what is now TNT Sports.

Advancing into senior management, he broke records aplenty to bring Rangers their first Scottish title in a decade - an invincible one at that - and with it came shouts to succeed Jurgen Klopp back at 'home' one day. Eventually the step was made to the Premier League with Aston Villa to a disappointing outcome, and now this latest tale in Saudi Arabia.

With that, the ECHO's writers have their say on Gerrard's decision and where they believe his career is destined to head next.

James Quinlan

There was once a time Gerrard was nailed on to be Klopp's successor - what happened? Now that Arne Slot is at the helm anyone would be foolish to look back.

He just made that step up to the Premier League at the wrong time. There was a good thing going at Rangers that he could have seen through to the end of the 2021/22 campaign, then options could have been assessed to start afresh. Instead leaping to Villa mid-season was an unstable opportunity.

Because of what happened there and at Ettifaq, Gerrard won't be Liverpool manager anytime soon. Perhaps Slot has a place for him on his coaching staff? Nobody would disagree with that as option surely - he'd be another inspiration for the players in that dressing room.

But everyone knows Gerrard's ambitious nature, he will want to prove his worth fully and recover his reputation as a manager. The safest way to do that is by remaining in England, most likely in a Championship role to begin, but perhaps Klopp - now global head of soccer at Red Bull - will have a job for him? Those two working together at long last would be interesting.

Isaac Seelochan

I'm extremely surprised to hear reports that Gerrard has resigned. Perhaps he has another job lined up or isn't enjoying life in Saudi.

Whatever the reason is, it's hard to see where he goes from here. Would he go to a lower-level Championship team like Wayne Rooney did?

He would have been very well paid in Saudi, so unless he is desperate to succeed in management, why would he drop down to English football's second tier? Frank Lampard got the Coventry job, which he was very fortunate to get, but I can't see Gerrard being that lucky.

Bruna Reis

Amid rumours that Gerrard wanted to leave last summer before the club chiefs convinced him to stay, it perhaps comes as no surprise to see him now take this decision after a difficult period. Following previous managerial stints with Rangers and Aston Villa, with the latter being brief and not particularly successful, it’s difficult to see where Gerrard will go from here.

However, one thing’s for sure - he won’t be the Liverpool manager anytime soon. He still has a lot to prove in terms of his managerial career. But whether he will want to join a Championship side like his former England teammate Frank Lampard, remains to be seen.

As mentioned above, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to welcome Gerrard back to Liverpool as one of Slot's coaching staff. Given his reputation at the club, where many youngsters are inspired by him, his experiences as player would be invaluable for the squad.

Kieran Horn

Being brutally honest, I think it's time for Steven Gerrard to take a break from management with two largely unsuccessful spells now under his belt.

There is the option to continue on this pathway but opt for a more background role as a coach which could certainly be an alternative if he wants to continue being involved in the game. However, becoming a pundit is a perfectly acceptable next job option.

Just looking at how Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have thrived since moving to that department, Gerrard could easily become a regular pundit for a number of top broadcasters which would also allow him to spend far more time with his family.

Richard Garnett

If the general view is that players go to the Saudi Pro League for a massive payday rather than to further their careers then it is only fair to assume that the same goes for managers. Gerrard's managerial stock was high after his great success at Rangers but it took a bit of a battering after the wheels fell of at Aston Villa.

The surprise move to Al-Ettifaq seemed puzzling at the time, given that the former Liverpool captain has long been touted as a potential future manager at Anfield. Success in the Saudi Pro League would have been no real barometer for gauging whether he would be up to the task of succeeding someone like Arne Slot and failure makes his chances even more remote.

However, Gerrard's passion for the game is not about to go away. As far as I'm concerned, it would be in his interests to find himself a good project back in England, perhaps with a Championship club, where he can learn from other highly experienced coaches and rebuild his reputation for a top job in the future. It's not all over for Gerrard. He's too good for that.

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