Steven Gerrard Shows Arabic Proficiency Upon Joining Al Ettifaq As Coach, Video

• Steven Gerrard has been named head coach of Saudi club Al Ettifaq
• The Liverpool legend was reported to have previously turned down the Saudi club in June
• The former Aston Villa manager sent a welcome message in Arabic to the Saudi club fans

Steven Gerrard has been appointed the new head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.

Gerrard was last in management at Aston Villa where his time came to an end after just 11 months last October due to a poor start to the Premier League season.

The former Rangers coach was linked to roles at Leicester or Leeds following their relegations from England's top flight, but with no opportunities presenting themselves, the former Liverpool captain reassessed his option to move to the Middle East.

Having originally distanced himself from a move to Saudi as previously reported by 90mins, the 43-year-old has now accepted a lucrative offer from the Dammam-based club.

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Al-Ettifaq representatives were in London on Monday finalising Gerrard's appointment ahead of the confirmation.

Gerrard agreed to the role following a renewed round of talks with the Saudi club, who are committing millions towards player recruitment to help their new boss build a team of global superstars.

He has since sent a message to the fans of the club after completing his switch to the Saudi Club.

Saudi's sovereign wealth fund Public Invest Fund (PIF) has taken control of four of the Pro League's biggest clubs Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli.

Ettifaq, however, believes they can compete with the PIF-run clubs to challenge for the title next season. Among the players Ettifaq are considering making a play is Brazil playmaker Coutinho per reports from Goal.

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Gerrard and Coutinho have a long history of working with each other having played together at Liverpool, and the South American was also signed by his former team-mate at Aston Villa.

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The 31-year-old is contracted at Villa Park but it remains to be seen whether he has a long-term future under Unai Emery. Coutinho's appearances were hampered last season by a series of injuries that also saw him miss Brazil's World Cup campaign.

Similarly, Morata's future at Atletico Madrid is also uncertain with the Spanish club ready to let the former Chelsea striker leave for a cut-price fee this summer.

Gerrard joins Saudi influx list

Sports Brief previously reported Gerrard was the latest European elite sportsman to join the ongoing Saudi influx.

Loads of stars from Europe’s elite clubs have made what initially was a shocking transfer switch to the middle east.

The long list of football stars to switch to the Saudi league includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Ngolo Kante, Marcelo Brozovic, and Ruben Neves, to name a few.