Saudi club Al-Ettifaq has announced the signing of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as their new manager, but the club has received backlash for emulating one of the club’s traditions.
The former England midfielder was long rumored with the managerial role at Al-Ettifaq but denied it strongly at the time. But now, it has been announced by the club that Gerrard will indeed take up the job.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Gerrard has signed a two year contract with the Saudi Pro League club, and will be the latest European football personality to join the league.
Debate sparks as Al-Ettifaq emulates “Anfield” sign
The club had released two videos to announce the sensational news of Steven Gerrard’s arrival. The first video showcased Gerrard’s playing and managerial career so far.
Official, completed. Steven Gerrard has been appointed as new head coach of Etiffaq. đ¸đŚđ´ó §ó ˘ó Ľó Žó §ó ż #SaudiLeaguepic.twitter.com/NKLYsuL1HX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 3, 2023
The second video however was controversial. The video was digitally created and showed a hand touching a sign above the stadium tunnel that read, ‘This is Ettifaq’ with the club’s badge below it. It was a complete imitation of the ‘This is Liverpool’ sign in the Anfield tunnel, that Liverpool players touch as a pre match tradition.
What’s more is that the Premier League club’s anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was playing in the background.
𧾠#Ettifaq is really playing on the symbolism and identity of #Liverpool in announcing #GerrardEttifaqi
— Frank Conde Tangberg (@frankctangberg) July 3, 2023
Here is why this rubs me the wrong way đđť#SaudiLeague #StevenGerrard #Gerrardpic.twitter.com/Zvoq410lh0
Liverpool fans did not take kindly to the imitation of their traditional sign as they criticized the Saudi club on social media.
One fan wrote, “What has our sign, our song, our ground, our history, our legacy to do with you? Show some respect!”
Another wrote, “If you can’t be Liverpool⌠may as well try to copy them. How tragic.”
What teams did Steven Gerrard coach?
Steven Gerrard retired from his playing days in 2016. The former Liverpool captain then took up coaching as a new career.
In 2017, he became an academy coach at beloved club Liverpool. He managed both the U-17 and U-19 teams of the club.
In May of 2018, Gerrard took his first big managerial role, when he was appointed manager of Scottish club Rangers. In 2021, he led the club to a historical season, winning the Scottish Premiership league title without a single defeat. That season, Rangers also ended up as Europa League runners up.
Gerrard soon became a strong candidate for many clubs. He eventually joined Premier League club Aston Villa in November 2021. After an initial good season, Gerrard had a bad start to the 2022-23 season, winning just 2 out of 12 games. He was soon sacked in October 2022, and replaced by Unai Emery.
Gerrard will now start a new chapter for Al Ettifaq, where he has a big job ahead of him. The club was seventh last season, but is expected to charge for the title this season. As such, Gerrard will have some big expectations on him to make the team challengers.
Will Steven Gerrard be a successful manager in the Saudi Pro League? What’s your take on it? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments section.
