Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard spotted in Saudi Arabia as he 'readies to sign for Al-Ettifaq'

Liverpool and England legend Steven Gerrard is set for a return to football management after he was spotted in Saudi Arabia for talks with a top Saudi Pro League side.

The former midfielder was pictured in the eastern coastal city of Dammam where he is preparing to take over the management of local team Al-Ettifaq, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Gerrard retired as a player in 2016, ending a successful career in football that saw him lead Liverpool to their first Champions League/European Cup victory in more than two decades.

He soon entered football coaching, managing Scottish club Rangers in 2018 and guiding them to win the Scottish Premier League in the 2020/21 season.

His appointment as manager for Premier League side Aston Villa was less successful and Gerrard was fired after winning just two in 12 games for the Midlands side.

Reports emerged on the weekend that Gerrard might be the next big name to head to Saudi Arabia, where clubs are paying hundreds of millions to attract stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

"Al-Ettifaq made an offer to Gerrard. He welcomed the idea, but asked for time to study the offer," a source told Reuters late on Saturday.

Al-Ettifaq, nicknamed the Knight of Ad-Dahna. finished seventh in the top-tier Saudi Pro League last season.

He could join former Premier League manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who coached Wolverhampton Wanderers between 2017 and 2021 before joining Jeddah side Al-Ittihad last season after a short spell at Tottenham Hotspur.