Chelsea Legend John Terry Set to Land Coaching Job in Saudi Arabia

• John Terry is close to being appointed as the new manager of Al-Shabab
• The Saudi Pro League club have made a poor start to the season and sit second from bottom after five games
• Terry will join Steven Gerrard, who is the manager of Al-Ettifaq, in the Arab country

Chelsea icon, John Terry is reportedly close to being appointed as manager of Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab. Terry has had coaching roles at Aston Villa and Leicester City after he retired from football in 2018 and is set to become another top English football personality to move to Saudi Arabia.

Multiple reports have indicated that the club will fire Marcel Keizer and replace him with Terry. The ex-Chelsea centre-back will join Liverpool legend and his former England teammate Steven Gerrard, who is the coach of Al-Ettifaq.

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According to Talksport, Terry, who currently works as a consultant for the Chelsea academy, has been in talks with the Saudi Pro League side about the position. If the deal is confirmed, it will be the 42-year-old's first head coaching job.

Terry, alongside Dean Smith and Craig Shakespeare, failed to save Leicester City from relegation last season and will need that experience if he takes up his new gig.

Al-Shabab this season

Al-Shabab have made a dreadful start to the 2023/24 season. They have failed to win any of their first five Saudi Pro League matches, drawing two and losing three. They were also beaten by Al-Hilal in the semi-final of the Arab Champions Cup.

In the summer transfer window, Al-Shabab signed Habib Diallo, Yannick Carrasco, and veteran defender Romain Saiss, per Transfermarkt. Terry will need to quickly change their fortunes as they sit second from bottom on the table. The Riyadh-based club finished fourth in the league last season.

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If the deal is confirmed, his first game in charge of Al-Shabab could be after the international break when they face Al-Feiha on Friday, September 15, away from home.

Gerrard struggles with language barrier

Sports Brief earlier reported on Gerrard struggling with the language barrier in training with Al-Ettifaq. In acvideo on Twitter, the former Rangers boss is seen placing the ball on the ground before asking, “Who wants it? Do you want it? Tell me then!”

After his players failed to respond to the Englishman's instructions, he can be heard saying, "No communication." It is clear that the ex-Aston Villa coach will need time to adjust to the demands of the league if he is to keep his job and guide his team.