Angry fans have accused Steven Gerrard of waiting for a huge pay-off from Al-Ettifaq after a shock defeat to second-division outfit Al-Jabalain.
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Al-Ettifaq beaten 3-1 by Al-JabalainAngry fans are calling for his headRemain winless in SPL since September 14Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Currently sitting in 10th place in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Ettifaq have struggled to secure a league win since September 14. Despite Gerrard’s high-profile arrival and the hefty £15.2 million per year contract he secured 16 months ago, the team’s form has stagnated, leading supporters to question his commitment and tactical approach. And the recent defeat to a lower-division outfit that led to a last-16 exit from the King's Cup has only fuelled further criticism.
Advertisement(C)GettyImagesWHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
Disgruntled fans believe Gerrard is simply waiting to get fired so that he can pocket the substantial compensation package before jetting off to England.
@HashimM10467584 wrote on X: "It is clear that the coach wants to leave and take the penalty clause. So the coach is sitting all the time and not moving??"
Whereas, @FawazAlolyan wrote: "A thousand thousand congratulations to Al-Jabalin. They deserve to win because they play with spirit and with the help of the coach Gerard with his tricks. Weak goalkeeper, weak defence, weak midfield, weak attack, no coach around you, management that is bored with football, if they do not feel the fans, old and young."
Meanwhile, @r_vkt1 questioned his credentials and wrote: "I have been saying for a long time that Gerrard is a failed coach. What is the condition that he succeeded as a player? He must succeed as a coach. Waste of money and disaster the day you brought it."
@M_alayni was fierce in his criticism and wrote: "All teams have a coach except Al-Ettifaq, which has a player who tries to master coaching. All he does is keep up with the coaches to learn, without caring about the results of his failure, because there is no one to hold him accountable or say it is shameful. Al-Ettifaq has become a laughing stock and Gerrard has become a comedian who makes everyone who follows Al-Ettifaq matches laugh. My regards to the extra management."
@AZ0000Z28 labelled Gerrard as a "plumber" and wrote: "Where is the picture? You forgot it today. Or is it a failure?! May God make you ugly, your team Who is left to defeat us? Led by plumber Gerard?!"
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Gerrard’s tactics and lineup choices are not the only sources of irritation for fans. Recently, he admitted to scheduling training sessions to avoid coinciding with Liverpool games, so he wouldn’t miss watching his former club. The revelation has only stoked the frustration among Al-Ettifaq supporters, who are increasingly vocal on social media and are seeking his replacement.
@oss9r9 wrote: "The solution is clear: dismiss the English plumber and his replacement is ready and knows the club, Saad Al-Shehri. As for the management, we have nothing to do but wait until the club is privatized."
Whereas, @ettifaqi1437 questioned: "Have you ever seen a coach who has more rest days than training days!! I said this since Gerrard took over the team, but no one listened!! How does the team develop when the players only train during the week!! After each match, there is a two to three day rest!!"
DID YOU KNOW?
Gerrard’s record with Al-Ettifaq includes 46 games, 17 wins, 15 losses, and 14 draws, a mixed run of form that does little to inspire confidence. In fact, their last Pro League win came against Al-Fateh on September 14, a slender 2-1 victory.
