Gerrard ‘agrees new two-year contract extension’ to remain at Al-Ettifaq

Steven Gerrard has reportedly agreed a shock two-year contract extension at Saudi Arabian membership Al-Ettifaq.

The former Liverpool captain joined in the summertime however Al-Ettifaq are solely eighth within the Saudi Pro League regardless of robust funding. 

Gerrard’s place had been thought-about below risk resulting from a winless run of 9 video games in all competitions, throughout which era they’ve scored three targets. 

His extension comes regardless of captain and pal Jordan Henderson terminating his contract with the membership and he’s reportedly enterprise a medical with Ajax as we speak. 

Al-Ettifaq have tied their supervisor down till 2027 with this new deal, as reported by The Athletic. 

Steven Gerrard has reportedly agreed a two-year contract extension with Al-Ettifaq 

His reign has taken a blow with Jordan Henderson terminating his contract on the membership 

Gerrard initially rejected the chance to affix Al-Ettifaq however modified his thoughts and signed a deal in July in a dramatic U-turn. 

The membership recruited Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Demarai Gray, Jack Hendry, and Moussa Dembele in a bid to construct on their seventh-placed end final time period. 

Despite a formidable begin, with six wins and just one defeat within the first eight video games of the season in all competitions, they’ve since faltered. 

Al-Ettifaq have not received a sport since October 28 – and that is the one match they’ve received of their final 13. 

Henderson’s departure will little question come as a blow to the membership’s ambitions. 

The England midfielder excitedly described final summer time’s £12million transfer from Liverpool as an excellent alternative to assist ‘develop the Pro League into probably the greatest on the earth’.

However, the 33-year-old grew unsettled. In addition to adjusting to a unique life-style, he struggled with the warmth and humidity of the taking part in situations, whereas Al Ettifaq’s common attendance this season of seven,800 in a 35,000-capacity stadium proved lower than inspiring. 

His household have been residing in additional liberal Bahrain versus the town of Dammam, the place Al-Ettifaq play.

Some thought Gerrard was below risk after a nine-game winless run regardless of large funding

Henderson was unsettled in Saudi Arabia resulting from a mix of private elements 

The commute to coaching and residential matches, over the King Fahd Causeway, took 55 minutes.

Henderson acquired abuse and condemnation for shifting to Al-Ettifaq, a change that was criticised as an alleged betrayal of the LGBTQ+ group, and that took its toll.  

His transfer will price him tens of millions in tax after he selected to stroll away from a three-year contract with Al-Ettifaq. 

He has represented himself in the course of the negotiations with Ajax and is predicted to conclude a deal within the subsequent few days. An settlement has but to be reached on the size of his contract, however that isn’t considered a sticking level.

It is known Ajax need to supply him an 18-month take care of the choice for an additional 12, which might be tweaked right into a everlasting two-and-a-half 12 months deal.

News of Henderson present process his medical comes after The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that the participant has not even acquired a penny of his mouth-watering £350,000-a-week wages at Al-Ettifaq, having deferred funds within the final six months.

The report additionally means that, based on sure sources near the participant, there’s a perception that Henderson won’t ever be paid what he’s owed.

It is believed that the rationale for deferring his wages was finished for tax causes, reportedly having finished so partly to return to the UK and characterize England.

UK legislation stipulates that any person who spends greater than 90 days within the nation is taken into account a resident for tax functions.

Gerrard has additionally needed to cope with assistant supervisor Ian Foster leaving to handle Plymouth Argyle 

Henderson’s exit is not the one setback Gerrard has needed to take care of this month.

Assistant supervisor Ian Foster waved goodbye early in January to take up the vacant managerial place at Plymouth Argyle. 

Foster moved with Gerrard to Saudi Arabia over the summer time after leaving his function as head coach of England’s under-20 squad.

Al-Ettifaq’s subsequent match is on February 15 towards Al-Khaleej because the Saudi Pro League is on an prolonged break, so there’s time for Gerrard, armed with a brand new deal, to rely his losses and reset. 

So far this switch window, they’ve introduced in Haroune Camara and Abdulrahman Al-Oboud on mortgage from final season’s champions Al-Ittihad.