News

Steven Gerrard's Saudi Adventure Ends in Sacking: How Much Did He Make?

The Englishman joins the stars who arrived in Saudi Arabia and did not end up performing as expected

By Luis Antonio Zamora

The Englishman joins the stars who arrived in Saudi Arabia and did not end up performing as expected
The Englishman joins the stars who arrived in Saudi Arabia and did not end up performing as expected
Síguenos enSíguenos en Google News

The Englishman joins the stars who arrived in Saudi Arabia and did not end up performing as expected. Steven Gerrard was in charge of Al Ettifaq for 55 games, winning 19, drawing 16 and losing 20, results that were not enough and he has been fired, although the money he has secured for his stay since 2023 would be almost 30 million dollars considering that he signed a contract worth 15 million dollars per season.

The Stars Who Went to Saudi Arabia and Fell Short: A Look at Gerrard, Henderson, and Neymar

In recent years, Saudi Arabian football has become a major destination for high-profile players and managers seeking lucrative contracts and a new challenge. The arrival of stars from Europe has injected fresh excitement into the Saudi Pro League, with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N'Golo Kanté drawing international attention. However, not all moves to the Kingdom have been successful. Some big names have made the switch, only to face failure or disappointment, leading to unexpected career shifts. Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, and Neymar are among the notable figures who saw their time in Saudi Arabia end on less-than-ideal terms.

Steven Gerrard: A Short-Lived Managerial Stint at Al Ettifaq

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s foray into managerial roles began with a sense of hope, especially after his successes with Rangers in Scotland, where he ended Celtic’s nine-year title streak. This success earned him a move to Saudi Arabia in 2023, where he took over as the manager of Al Ettifaq. Gerrard’s appointment was initially met with optimism; he was a highly respected figure in football and his reputation as a player brought a level of prestige to the Saudi Pro League.

However, things quickly unraveled for Gerrard at Al Ettifaq. Despite the club’s investment in players to support his vision, including signing high-profile names like Jordan Henderson, Gerrard’s tenure was marked by poor results. Al Ettifaq struggled in the league, failing to meet the expectations set for a team under the guidance of such a high-profile manager. The team’s lack of consistency in both domestic and continental competitions led to mounting pressure on Gerrard.

Ultimately, after a series of disappointing results and a sense that the club wasn’t progressing under his leadership, Al Ettifaq decided to part ways with the former England international. Gerrard’s short and troubled stint in Saudi Arabia raised questions about whether he was truly ready for the challenges of managing outside the European spotlight. His time in the Middle East will likely be remembered as a career misstep, as he returns to reassess his future in management.

Jordan Henderson: A Quick Departure from Al Ettifaq to Ajax

Jordan Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia in 2023 was one of the most talked-about transfers of the summer. The Liverpool captain joined Al Ettifaq under Gerrard’s management, a decision that attracted widespread attention due to Henderson’s long history with Liverpool and his status as an influential figure in English football. For many, the move represented a new chapter in Henderson’s career, as he was lured by the financial rewards and the promise of contributing to the growth of football in Saudi Arabia.

However, Henderson’s time at Al Ettifaq was far from smooth. While he initially seemed committed to the challenge, it quickly became clear that the move was not fulfilling his ambitions. Reports surfaced that Henderson struggled to adapt to the playing style of the Saudi league, and the team’s underwhelming performances did not help matters. As a result, after just one season, Henderson decided to leave the club in 2024 and signed with Ajax in the Netherlands. His departure came as a surprise to many, especially given the high-profile nature of his initial move to Saudi Arabia.

While Ajax represented a return to European football for Henderson, his brief experience in Saudi Arabia became a failed experiment. Despite the lucrative contract and the opportunity to be a key player in the growth of the Saudi Pro League, Henderson’s move to Al Ettifaq did not yield the success he had hoped for, both on and off the pitch.

Neymar: A Brief Spell at Al Hilal and a Return to Brazil

Neymar’s move to Saudi Arabia was one of the most high-profile transfers in recent years. The Brazilian superstar made the switch from Paris Saint-Germain to Al Hilal in 2023, joining the ranks of other big names making their way to the Kingdom. Neymar’s arrival at Al Hilal was expected to have a transformative effect on the club, with fans and pundits alike expecting him to help the team dominate the league and raise the profile of Saudi football internationally.

However, despite Neymar’s undeniable talent and flair, his time at Al Hilal was far from successful. Injuries, inconsistent performances, and the pressure of living up to the high expectations placed on him led to frustrations on both sides. Neymar struggled to adapt to the Saudi Pro League, where the pace and intensity of the game were markedly different from the European leagues he had thrived in. Furthermore, Al Hilal's failure to deliver significant success in their continental competitions added to the disappointment of Neymar’s spell in Saudi Arabia.

In 2024, after just a year in Saudi Arabia, Neymar made the decision to leave Al Hilal and return to Brazil, signing with Santos, the club where he began his career. His departure from Al Hilal marked the end of what was a brief and unsuccessful chapter in his career. While Neymar’s return to Santos was seen as a sentimental move, it also reflected the struggles he faced in Saudi Arabia, a country where expectations often do not align with the realities of European stars making the transition.

The Lesson: Not All Moves to Saudi Arabia Are a Success

The stories of Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, and Neymar illustrate the challenges that even the biggest footballing stars can face when making a move to the Saudi Pro League. While many players have found success in the league, there are others who have struggled to adapt to the demands of football in Saudi Arabia. The high-profile nature of their transfers and subsequent disappointments highlights the complexities of playing in a league that, despite its growing stature, is still vastly different from the top European competitions.

For these players, the experience in Saudi Arabia may be remembered as a learning curve in their careers, one that ultimately pushed them to reassess their futures. Whether they will be able to bounce back in new environments or whether these moves will haunt their careers remains to be seen. However, their struggles serve as a reminder that even the most celebrated footballers can face setbacks when stepping into unfamiliar territory.


Luis Antonio Zamora

Luis Antonio Zamora

Mi pasión al futbol me llevó involucrarme con los medios de comunicación desde hace 12 años, lapso en el que he podido cubrir con diferentes eventos de talla nacional e internacional. Desde que estaba por terminar la licenciatura en medios de comunicación, ya estaba involucrado en programas de radio y prensa escrita. Ingresé a Alvia Media en el 2022 y desde entonces mi perspectiva se enfocó en ofrecer contenido oportuno para los aficionados, esos que se apasionan en cada partido de su equipo, de...


More news