“I Know Him Very Well”: Gerrard Makes Bold Ronaldo Claim Ahead of His First Game As Coach in Saudi

• Steven Gerrard has vowed to upset Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr
• The 2005 Champions League winner joined the Saudi wave after signing as Al-Etiffaq head coach
• His competitive debut in the Saudi League will come against Ronaldo's Al-Nassr on Monday

Steven Gerrard is preparing himself to take on the role of head coach for Al-Etiffaq in the upcoming 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season.

The Liverpool legend has swiftly returned to the managerial position, this time leading Etiffaq, following his sack at Aston Villa last season. However, his competitive debut in the Gulf region could prove to be a formidable test.

Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq team is set to host Al-Nassr at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium on Monday, August 14th, marking the beginning of his Saudi coaching journey, GOAL reports.

Notably, Al-Nassr is led by none other than old foe Cristiano Ronaldo, adding an intriguing layer to Gerrard's debut.

Video: Cristiano Ronaldo expresses Frustration, as he throws water on a cameraman

Football

Throughout his career as a player and now as a coach, Gerrard has crossed paths with Ronaldo numerous times.

Their encounters have spanned various contexts, including their time on the field and Gerrard's coaching tenure at Villa.

The upcoming match will reignite this rivalry as the 43-year-old gaffer aims to secure victory against Al-Nassr, a strong contender for this season's Saudi top-flight title owing to their impressive squad additions, including Sadio Mane.

In a parallel effort, Gerrard's team has also bolstered its roster with notable signings, such as the former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Olympique Lyon striker Moussa Dembele, per Besoccer.

Despite the imposing challenge of facing both Ronaldo and a team that finished as runners-up in the Saudi League last season, Gerrard maintains an optimistic outlook regarding his team's prospects.

"I played against Ronaldo as a player, and I know him very well, and now I will face him again as a coach of Al-Ettifaq," he said, as quoted by TCR on the X app (formerly Twitter).

Ronaldo ends goal-scoring drought in style, scores powerful header in Al-Nassr win

Football

"I will strive for a perfect start with my club."

Gerrard becomes 4th highest-paid manager

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Steven Gerrard is reportedly the fourth highest-paid manager in the world after becoming head coach of Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ettifaq.

The Liverpool legend initially rejected an offer from the Saudi side but agreed to a three-year after travelling to the Middle Eastern country last month.

The 2005 Champions League winner with Liverpool gets a mouth-watering £15.2m a year as Al-Ettifaq’s new manager