Former Rangers and Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has been pictured in Saudi Arabia as the Leeds United linked manager prepares to take over at outfit Al-Ettifaq.
With all due respect to Vincent Aboubakar, prolific in the Middle East until his January move to Besiktas, the Saudi Arabian top-flight appears to have increased it’s ‘pulling power’ somewhat since one Cristiano Ronaldo took his place in the Al-Nassr attack.
Funny, that.
Steven Gerrard, out of work since being sacked by Aston Villa last year, is the latest high-profile figure to jet out to the desert, joining Karim Benzema and the Al-Ittihad-bound N’Golo Kante.
Leeds United will not hire Steven Gerrard
The former Liverpool captain will reportedly take over at Al-Ettifaq. He was pictured pictured pulling up to the club’s typically plush headquarters on Monday. His move to a side currently sitting seventh in the Saudi Pro League seemingly imminent.
As such, speculation linking Gerrard with a move to Elland Road can now be put to bed. The Athletic reported last week that some close to the 41-year-old felt he had a good chance of being offered the Leeds United job; having been linked with the Yorkshire giants on a number of occasions over the years.
Simon Jordan, the former Crystal Palace owner, certainly believes Gerrard should not automatically be written off on the back of one poor spell at Aston Villa. It’s only two years, after all, since he guided an unbeaten Rangers side to the Scottish title with over 100 points.
Another big name heads to Saudi Arabia
“It depends on what he’s learned,” Jordan tells talkSPORT. “We should never ever fire someone into obscurity because they have made mistakes.
“What did he take away (from that Aston Villa spell)? If I’m interviewing Steven Gerrard, tell me what it is you did at Rangers. And what you didn’t do at Villa. What did you learn?
“I would listen to it and, if there was nothing there, he wouldn’t get the job. You’re looking for the very specific reasons of why he failed (at Aston Villa).
“(I would ask) ‘How are you going to get my team out the Championship at the first go? Tell me what I need, what I don’t need and how you are going to do it. Because, right now, you are a manager who got sacked and who’s team have now finished in Europe.
“I want to see him back because he is capable. Not because he is Steven Gerrard.”
With Gerrard now bound for Saudi Arabia, a move which will enhance his bank balance but do little for his reputation in the eyes of many of a Premier League persuasion, Leeds may now step up their pursuit of Brendan Rodgers, Graham Potter, Carlos Carvalhal or Daniel Farke.
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