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Football

20th Jun 2023

Steven Gerrard turns down offer to manage in Saudi Arabia

Callum Boyle

Steven Gerrard

Gerrard has been out of work since being sacked by Aston Villa

Steven Gerrard has revealed that he has turned down the chance to manage in Saudi Arabia.

Gerrard has been out of work since being sacked by Aston Villa in October last year and had been reportedly approached by Saudi Pro League side, Al-Ettifaq, and had plans to try and bring Philippe Coutinho to the Middle East with him.

But when asked if any progress had been made during Channel 4’s coverage of England’s 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia, he admitted that the opportunity wasn’t right for him.

“I was invited over there to look at a potential offer, which I did,” he explained.

“I have been analysing that over the last couple of days. But, as we stand right now, I won’t be taking that offer up.”

Saudi Arabia have attracted some of the biggest names in world football of late, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema already there and many more set to follow.

A number of other high-profiles including as many as four Chelsea players linked with a move while Wolves’ Ruben Neves is set to join Al Hilal, despite being linked with Barcelona.

The former Rangers and Villa boss had also been linked with the job at recently-relegated Leicester City, however they opted to go for Pep Guardiola’s assistant Enzo Maresca.

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