Gerrard appoints ex-assistant to turn things around after their poor run of form

Former Sunderland, QPR and Rangers manager Michael Beale has reunited with Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq.

Beale, 44, has had a fascinating coaching career, working for the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Brazilian side Sao Paulo.

He joined Gerrard as his assistant at Rangers in 2018 and was widely praised for his role in helping the Scottish giants win their first league title in a decade.

The 44-year-old followed the Liverpool icon to Aston Villa in November 2021 before single-handedly taking over QPR as manager in June 2022, a move seen as a blow to Gerrard, who was sacked by the club. Villans four months later.

And now Beale and Gerrard will team up again in the Middle East as the under-fire former England midfielder looks to turn things around, with Al-Ettifaq currently 12th in the 18-team Saudi Pro League (SPL).

The Englishman – who has been out of work since February when he was sacked by Sunderland after just 12 games – saw his move to the club confirmed on Wednesday evening, with Al-Ettifaq on X: 'Michael Beale joins the #Ettifaq family as assistant coach' .

Beale's appointment comes after Gerrard avoided being sacked just before the international break despite a torrid run of form, although two key members of staff, assistant Dean Holden and sporting director Mark Allen, were sacked in a bid to improve results.

Meanwhile, Gerrard was booed by a significant portion of the home fanbase earlier this month after Al-Ettifaq were defeated by Al-Qadsiah.

Supporters had urged the Liverpool legend to 'get out' after the result, which came after a 3-1 defeat to lower league side Al-Jabalain in the last-16 King's Cup.

Gerrard, who is under contract until 2027, has a 16-month £15.2million contract with Al-Ettifaq and led the club to sixth place in the Saudi Pro League last season.

But Al-Ettifaq have won just three of their 10 league matches this time around, drawing two and losing five, while they have not registered a victory since September.

Pundits in Saudi Arabia have also called for Gerrard to resign amid poor results this season.

Beale had initially started his managerial career with success, with the Englishman taking QPR to the top of the Championship before moving to Rangers after just five months.

However, he played just 43 games at Ibrox and was sacked last October, after which the 44-year-old endured a disastrous 12-game spell at Sunderland where he proved extremely unpopular among the fans.

Beale's appointment shows Al-Ettifaq's continued confidence in Gerrard, which the club explained as such when announcing the departures of Holden and Allen earlier this month.

A statement read: 'The Ettifaq Board, led by Mr Samer Almisehal, has approved the recommendations of the Football Committee, which are as follows: Mark Allen is leaving his position as Executive Sporting Director by mutual agreement.

“Dean Holden will resign from his position as assistant manager by mutual agreement.

'The Chairman, Mr. Sameer Almisehal, reaffirmed that the Board is fully committed to supporting the coaching staff and players in their efforts to improve the club's position in the league and secure a top position in the Gulf Champions League set.

'He has also apologized to the Ettifaq fans for the disappointing departure from the King Cup.

“The board and everyone at the club greatly appreciate the continued support of Ettifaq fans, despite recent unsatisfactory results. We remain optimistic that better outcomes are on the horizon.”

Al-Ettifaq, who are just four points above the relegation zone, are back in action on Sunday when they take on Al-Riyadh.