Gerrard set to extend Al-Ettifaq contract to 2027

Steven Gerrard has won seven of his 21 games as Al-Ettifaq managerSteven Gerrard is set to extend his stay as head coach at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq, BBC Sport understands.

According to Saudi Arabian sources, the club are preparing to announce the 43-year-old has agreed a two-year extension, having joined last July.

This is despite the imminent departure of the club’s star signing and fellow ex-Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

The midfielder, 33, is close to joining Ajax having failed to settle in Saudi Arabia since joining for £12m in July.

Henderson is set to have his three-year contract, thought to be worth £700,000 a week, terminated.

Gerrard, however – who is reported to be one of the best-paid managers in the world on a salary of about £15m a year – is set to confirm he will now stay in Saudi Arabia until 2027.

The Dammam-based club lie eighth in the table having finished seventh in the Pro League last season, finishing 35 points behind champions Al-Ittihad.

Gerrard enjoyed an impressive start, masterminding five wins from the club’s first seven games of the season. But Al-Ettifaq’s form has slumped and they had not won in their last eight matches before a six week mid-season break.

He retired from playing in 2016 and his first managerial role was with Scottish club Rangers. He took over the Ibrox side in 2018 and led them to their first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years in 2020-21.

The former England midfielder then became Aston Villa boss in November 2021 but was sacked a year later after 13 wins from 40 games.

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