Ex-Rangers and Sunderland boss Michael Beale hired as Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq assistant
11/20/2024 08:17 AM
Michael Beale has been appointed as Steven Gerrard’s new assistant manager at Al Ettifaq, talkSPORT understands.
Former Rangers boss Beale has been out of work since being sacked by Sunderland in February.
Gerrard has been under increasing pressure at the Saudi Pro League club after a dismal start to the season.
The Liverpool legend clung on to his £15million-a-year job, but has made changes to his staff.
Assistant manager Dean Holden and sporting director Mark Allen both left the club by mutual consent.
Al-Ettifaq are sitting 12th out of the 18 teams in the Saudi Pro League. They have lost five of their ten league games this season, suffering four defeats in their last five matches.
Ex-England skipper Gerrard was booed by his own fans after losing 2-0 to local rivals Al Qadsiah earlier this month.
Gerrard took charge of the Saudi-based club in July 2023. The former Liverpool captain's current contract runs until 2027.
In Gerrard's first season in charge, he guided the club to finish sixth in the Saudi Pro League. They sat 48 points behind league winners Al Hilal.
Beale lasted just 12 matches at at Sunderland before being axed earlier this year.
talkSPORT understands Beale lost the dressing room, with the Sunderland players particularly unhappy at being made to do extra training after a defeat, while the manager himself took the day off.
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