STEVEN GERRARD has signed a shock new deal with Al-Ettifaq – despite the club’s winless run.
The Liverpool legend’s future with the Saudi Pro League side has been in major doubt for the last few weeks due to their horrible run of form.
Al-Ettifaq are winless in their last NINE matches, a barren spell many expected would lead to the sacking of Gerrard.
But the club have stunningly offered the 43-year-old a new two-year deal, which he’s welcomed with both arms.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim the former England midfielder’s new deal with Al-Ettifaq will expire in the summer of 2027.
Al-Ettifaq have yet to officially announce the extension of Gerrard’s contract at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium.
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Former Rangers boss Gerrard enjoyed a near fairytale start to life in Saudi, winning five of his first seven Pro League matches.
But they have since failed to win a single of their ensuing nine matches, which reportedly left his future in the balance.
Gerrard accepted that his job was on the line prior to the renewal of his contract.
And he recently called on the Al-Ettifaq top brass to help turn around his side’s fortunes by dipping into the transfer market this month.
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Speaking before their 1-1 draw with bottom club Al-Hazm, he said: “We need to be aggressive, we need to be ruthless.
“And we need to make a lot of changes to make this team more competitive.
“We need to show in this window, and also the summer window, that we mean business and we want to be competitive at the top of the league.
“And not where we are at the moment.
“It’s a collective thing – the players here and now need to give more, and people need to step up, and, at the right time.
“We will hopefully be able to make significant changes to the team and the squad.
“Hopefully, at the back end of January, you will see a different, stronger and more competitive squad.”
Gerrard’s squad is set to lose his former Reds team-mate Jordan Henderson.
The England midfielder’s brief Saudi stint is set to come to an end after he reached an agreement to terminate his contract.
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Henderson, 33, is now on the verge of joining Dutch giants Ajax as a free agent.
Al-Ettifaq will be back in action on February 15, taking on Al-Khaleej.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
