Steven Gerrard’s decision to join Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia has raised eyebrows, with some questioning his motives. However, his former teammate Danny Murphy believes that Gerrard’s move is driven by a desire to improve his coaching skills and further his managerial career.
Gerrard’s appointment as the manager of Al Ettifaq was confirmed on Monday, marking his return to the dugout after being sacked as Aston Villa manager in October. The Liverpool legend has previous experience as a coach with Liverpool’s youth sides before managing at Rangers and Aston Villa.
While some have criticized Gerrard’s decision, suggesting that it is purely money-based and will harm his reputation, Murphy disagrees. He reveals that he spoke to Gerrard when he was considering the move a few weeks ago and believes that the former midfielder is looking for a football project that will benefit him and help him improve as a coach.
According to Murphy, Gerrard turned down the job initially because he wanted a project that would provide him with some sort of benefit and allow him to learn and improve his coaching skills. He wanted to find an opportunity that would be better for his long-term managerial career, regardless of finances. Murphy explains that achieving success in a competitive league like the Championship and earning a promotion would be more valuable for Gerrard’s CV than doing well or poorly in Saudi Arabia.
However, Murphy acknowledges that the financial aspect may have played a role in Gerrard’s decision. He suggests that perhaps the opportunity he was looking for didn’t materialize, and Al Ettifaq offered him a more lucrative deal. Despite this, Murphy believes that Gerrard’s main motivation is to succeed in everything he does and continue honing his talents as a coach.
Host Andy Goldstein argues that money is the defining factor in such decisions, but Murphy counters by emphasizing the importance of staying active and continuing to practice and develop one’s skills. He believes that if Gerrard doesn’t have any other opportunities and is not working or coaching, joining Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia allows him to stay involved in the game and improve as a manager.
Gerrard’s move to Al Ettifaq makes him the second former Premier League manager to join the Saudi top flight, with Nuno Espirito Santo also taking charge at Al Ittihad. This influx of experienced managers highlights the growing ambition and investment in Saudi Arabian football.
In conclusion, while some may question Steven Gerrard’s decision to join Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, his former teammate Danny Murphy believes that it is driven by a desire to improve his coaching skills and further his managerial career. Gerrard is looking for a football project that will benefit him and allow him to learn and grow as a coach. While finances may have played a role, Murphy argues that Gerrard’s main motivation is to succeed and continue honing his talents. Joining Al Ettifaq allows him to stay active in the game and improve as a manager.