Steven Gerrard says ‘family feeling’ was a key reason for joining Al-Ettifaq
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Steven Gerrard (right) with Al-Ettifaq club president Khaled Al Dabal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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RIYADH – Steven Gerrard said a “family feeling” at Saudi Arabian Pro League club Al-Ettifaq was one of the things that persuaded him to accept a coaching job with the side.
The former England and Liverpool captain signed a three-year contract last week
The 43-year-old had a change of heart and has become the latest big name to join the Saudi league.
“When I went to Saudi, I got a real family feeling. It made me actually feel welcomed. There are three things I always consider in order – it needs to be right for my family first and foremost. We have to be excited and motivated by the challenge,” Gerrard told Al-Ettifaq’s Twitter account on Sunday.
“Secondly I think the football project needs to be ambitious, it needs to be for the right reasons, and then of course you need to feel secure with the contract, but this comes at the very end.”
The move is the latest in a number of high-profile deals since Al-Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Ittihad
Gerrard guided Rangers to their first Scottish Premiership title
Al-Ettifaq finished seventh in the top-tier Saudi Pro League last season. Al-Ittihad were champions ahead of Al-Nassr, followed by Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab.
Gerrard follows in the footsteps of former teammate Robbie Fowler
But those moves have caused some consternation back in England, where former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has accused his fellow former Three Lions defender Jamie Carragher of hypocrisy.
Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: “Jamie Carragher. Where are you man? I heard a lot of talk, a lot of negativity about Saudi... ‘Oh, Bernardo Silva, I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. It’s a disgrace, it needs investigating, this league’, et cetera.
‘Steven Gerrard’s gone. You used to carry his boots and his bag at Anfield to games. Your boy’s gone over there and I’ve not heard a peep out of you. I’ve not heard how disappointed you are. I want to see him say, ‘I can’t believe Stevie’s gone there’.
‘I’m actually buzzing for any of the guys who have gone out to Saudi. Because it’s Saudi, people are going mad, but all these other countries and leagues over the years have done exactly the same thing.”
Carragher hit back, suggesting Ferdinand had sidestepped questions about Qatar during the World Cup. He posted on Twitter: “Never criticised Silva, (Karim) Benzema, (Ruben) Neves or SG (Steven Gerrard), I don’t like Saudi trying to buy football like they have golf.
“I knew you’d be all over it @rioferdy5 like you were in Qatar! That’s why you refused to do the opening game for @BBCMOTD (BBC Match of the Day), didn’t want to criticise your paymaster!” Reuters
