Latest news with #AlEttifaq
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Saudi national football team prepare for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
RIYADH: The Saudi national football team trained on Thursday evening at their preparatory camp in Al-Khobar, as part of the build-up for their crucial ninth and tenth rounds of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport French coach Herve Renard supervised the training, which was held at Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium, a media statement said. The training session began with warm-up training followed by tactical exercises and a half-field game, before it concluded with stretching routines aimed at muscle recovery and injury prevention. In a positive development, defender Ali Majrashi returned to full training with the squad after recovering from a recent injury. Muteb Al-Harbi and Mohammed Bakr continued their individual rehabilitation programs under the supervision of the medical team. The Green Falcons will resume their preparation on Friday afternoon with a closed-door training match against the Jordanian national team, also scheduled to take place at Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Steven Gerrard lands new job aged 44 as Rangers prepare to name next manager
STEVEN GERRARD has landed a new job amid links to Rangers. The Liverpool legend has been out of management and out of work since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in January. 1 But he has now been hired for a new role at TNT Sports. Gerrard will appear as a pundit for Saturday's Champions League final on Saturday between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. He has appeared as a pundit for the broadcaster on multiple occasions since hanging up his boots in 2016, including for Liverpool's 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid in 2023. Gerrard has also covered England matches for Channel 4. He will return to Champions League final action alongside old foe Rio Ferdinand, Karen Carney, and Owen Hargreaves, with Laura Woods and Reshmin Chowdhury to host. Gerrard, 44, is reportedly on the shortlist to return to Rangers as their next manager. He is one of a number of candidates of interest, alongside former Southampton manager Russell Martin and Davide Ancelotti, son of Carlo. Gerrard is understood to be the preferred option after leading Gers to the Scottish Premiership title in 2021, finishing the league campaign unbeaten. An unsuccessful stint at Aston Villa followed and he was axed less than a year after joining the club. He was then appointed manager of Al-Ettifaq but left by mutual consent earlier this year with the club just above the relegation zone.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Steven Gerrard ‘closing in' on return to management after foregoing £10MILLION upon Al-Ettifaq exit
LIVERPOOL icon Steven Gerrard could be poised to make a return to Rangers, according to reports. Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson left the club following Saturday's match against Hibernian. 2 2 The 47-year-old took over on a temporary basis following the dismissal of Philippe Clement in February. Rangers are now on the hunt for a permanent successor. And the Daily Mail has claimed that Gerrard is on a shortlist. The Liverpool legend is joined on the list by former Southampton manager Russell Martin and Davide Ancelotti. But he is understood to be the preferred candidate. The recruitment process is being led by new sporting director Kevin Thelwell and chief executive Patrick Stewart. Gretar Steinsson of 49ers Enterprises - the consortium in talks to take over Rangers - also has a level of input. Aston Villa manager. During his time at the club he won the Scottish Premiership title and finished the 2020-21 league season unbeaten. However, he failed to impress while at Villa Park. Gerrard was sacked by Aston Villa less than a year after joining the club. He was then appointed as the manager of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq but left by mutual consent earlier this year with the club just above the relegation zone. The former England midfielder waived £10million in order to avoid getting a relegation on his managerial record. Al-Ettifaq's head of football Hatim Al-Mashaal said: "Gerrard waived half of his contract with Al-Ettifaq, and the other part has been scheduled. "He waived £10million because if the club had been relegated with him, it would have caused a crisis in his coaching career. "So the agreement to leave was a mutual one between the club and the coach."
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Steven Gerrard poised to return for second spell as Rangers manager
STEVEN GERRARD could be poised to make a stunning return to Rangers as the club's search for a new manager reaches its final stages. The club have stepped up their hunt for a new manager after announcing on Sunday that interim boss Barry Ferguson had departed. Gerrard features on a shortlist of names alongside Davide Ancelotti and Russell Martin, with Rangers keen to get their new man in as quickly as possible ahead of pre-season starting on June 23. The recruitment process is being led by new sporting director Kevin Thelwell and chief executive Patrick Stewart, with Gretar Steinsson of 49ers Enterprises also having a level of input. Whilst Ancelotti's name emerged as a shock contender last week, Mail Sport understands that there is a growing preference at Ibrox for the new manager to have frontline managerial experience. It is believed that Gerrard's name has now been identified as the preferred candidate and the man to lead the club forward once the US takeover is finalised. The former Liverpool and England icon spent three years as Rangers boss between 2018-2021, winning a league title along the way, before leaving to join Aston Villa. His reign at Villa was short-lived and unsuccessful, before he moved on to manage Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League for almost two years. Gerrard left Al-Ettifaq back in January and Mail Sport understands that he was initially sounded out about a possible Ibrox return as far back as February when Philippe Clement was sacked. But Gerrard made it clear that he wanted to take a break from the game after his stint in Saudi and expressed a preference that his new job would come with a fresh start in the summer. He is now understood to be under serious consideration for the Rangers vacancy, with his experience and profile being key factors. Speaking on Sunday, Ibrox chief executive Stewart hoped that the club would be able to finalise their recruitment process fairly swiftly. Thanking Ferguson and his staff for their efforts, Stewart said: 'The club, and I am sure all our supporters, will be forever grateful to Barry for stepping up and taking on the role of head coach. 'He and his staff have performed admirably amongst some trying circumstances and achieved some excellent results along the way. 'Barry, Neil (McCann), Billy (Dodds) and Allan (McGregor) all had distinguished playing careers with Rangers, and they have all enhanced their standing with the club for their work since February. 'The reception they received at Ibrox on Wednesday night was fully merited, and I know meant so much to Barry and his team. 'The search for our new head coach is progressing well, and we look forward to concluding our process in the coming period.' Meanwhile, Rangers have vowed to defend club legend John Brown if he faces any SFA charge for comments made on Rangers TV. Brown was co-commentating for Rangers' 2-2 draw with Hibs on Saturday and reacted with astonishment after Nicolas Raskin's effort was ruled to not have crossed the line despite TV pictures showing it had. Brown said: 'I would say it is corrupt', with commentator Tom Miller replying: 'Well, I'm not sure we can actually say that', before Brown continued: 'Well, I am saying it.' Brown could face action from the SFA, who believe that the comments warrant a punishment under article 29.2 of the governing bodies' rule book. In response to reports the SFA are reviewing Brown's comments a Rangers spokesperson said: 'In a season where Rangers have been on the receiving end of several major officiating errors, frustration is entirely understandable. 'The idea that spontaneous remarks could warrant disciplinary action is excessive, surprising and inconsistent. 'This development should not overshadow what was a clear mistake, evident to anyone who has seen the footage of the game. 'The focus should be on raising refereeing standards for the good of Scottish football. 'Should a charge follow, we will defend it, and question whether club channels across the league are being monitored and policed equally.'
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Blow to Steven Gerrard as he loses eye-watering sum of money after pal's business closes with huge debts
FOOTIE manager Steven Gerrard has pulled the plug on a company flogging 'healthy' water. The former Liverpool midfielder and England captain pumped £371,524 into Angel Revive, which was run by a friend. But he has lost most of his money along with fellow investors who ploughed £2.5million into the business, which has closed with huge debts. Gerrard owns a 25 per cent stake. The 44-year-old has had £50,000 of his investment back, but remains massively out of pocket. The company has debts of £542,220, including £398,353 in unpaid rent. Paperwork said: 'The company has negative reserves and is dependent on continued financial support of directors and shareholders.' Gerrard is among contenders for the managerial job at his Scottish giants Rangers, who he managed previously for three years from 2018, winning the Scottish Premiership in 2021. The Gers are seeking a permanent manager after sacking Philippe Clement in February, with former midfielder Barry Ferguson being placed in temporary charge since. Gerrard left Ibrox to take over as Aston Villa manager but was sacked in October 2022 after winning just two of 12 games. He then took up the manager's job at Saudi outfit Al-Ettifaq, but left by mutual consent in January
