Liverpool legend and current manager of Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia Steven Gerrard recently made a surprising revelation about Cristiano Ronaldo’s role in his move to the Middle East. Gerrard’s journey to the Saudi Professional League began in January 2023 after Ronaldo moved to Al Nasr. The high-profile move caught Gerrard’s attention and sparked his interest in exploring opportunities in the Bay Area.
Gerrard admitted that he has been paying close attention to the Saudi Professional League, paying attention to Ronaldo’s performance and the overall development of the league. Ronaldo’s arrival not only increased the league’s popularity, but also attracted big-name players such as Neymar, Benzema and Mane to join. When Gerrard found himself without a managerial role, he was fascinated by the prospect of joining a Middle Eastern club.
Gerrard was particularly interested in Al-Ettifaq’s offer when his agent offered him the opportunity in the Gulf. He was attracted to the club’s passionate board and their understanding of what the rebuilding process required. Gerrard recognizes that turning around a team that is seventh in the league and well behind the top four will be a challenging project that will require time and support.
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“The arrival of what we call the ‘goat’, Cristiano (Ronaldo), who comes in January is obviously a huge signing,” Gerrard explained to the official website of the Saudi Professional League. “He still has a lot of football to offer.
“So, for six months from now, I’ve been following Cristiano Ronaldo’s results in the league, watching some games and some highlights. I think from that moment on, leagues around the world have become A very popular topic for everyone. After Cristiano arrived, more big-name players, talented players and technical staff joined the league.”
Gerrard has won seven of his first 15 games since taking charge of Al-Ettifaq. However, his side have struggled of late, winning just one of their last seven games. Despite these challenges, Gerrard remains committed to building a strong team on and off the pitch.
In a surprising move, Gerrard turned to his former club Liverpool to sign two key players for Etifaq. He brought in Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum to strengthen his squad. Gerrard stressed the importance of having players who can act as an extension of the coaching staff, make on-field decisions and guide the team’s positioning.
Gerrard spoke highly of Henderson, highlighting their shared trust and history of playing together. He described Henderson as a great player and a great person, highlighting the leadership qualities he brings to the team. Gerrard believes Henderson’s decision to join Al-Ettifaq played an important role in attracting other players to join the club.
As for Wijnaldum, Gerrard admitted the midfielder has not received consistent playing time in recent seasons. Wijnaldum is looking for a fresh start and the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the team. Gerrard sees similarities in leadership and professionalism between Wijnaldum and Henderson. I believe their combination will provide a strong core for the team and contribute to its success.
liverpool.com says: Gerrard’s comments on the impact of Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia and the recruitment of Henderson and Wijnaldum shed light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of football transfers. It emphasizes the influence of prominent individuals on managers’ decisions and their pursuit of success.
But again, while major companies have moved to Saudi Arabia, others may still have reservations. No one can really do that, and the overall level of the league is still poor. Mohamed Salah, for example, feels less likely to move to the area now than he did a few months ago. Ronaldo influenced Gerrard’s decision to move there, but that influence has clearly been needed ever since.
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