Steven Gerrard's journey with Al-Ettifaq has been far from smooth sailing.
When the Liverpool icon swapped the high-octane world of European football for the deep-pocketed aspirations of the Saudi Pro League, there were questions about legacy, adaptation, and life away from home. Now, 18 months into his tenure, those questions have only grown louder.
A worrying winless streak has left supporters on edge, and the club's hierarchy scrambling for answers, with two of Gerrard's closest allies shown the door in recent weeks. Off the pitch, the pressure is equally palpable, with Gerrard's wife Alex choosing not to reside in Saudi Arabia.
Consequently, he's facing the prospect of a second consecutive managerial firing. The end of a nightmare run came on Saturday when Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq team finally put an end to a nine-match winless streak that threatened to send his tenure spiralling into an unescapable abyss.
Gerrard's players rallied from behind to defeat Al-Khaleej 2-1, with ex-Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum netting one of the goals, securing Al-Ettifaq its first league victory since mid-September. The team kicked off the season in full gallop, clinching victories in their first three matches.
However, a 3-0 thrashing by Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr side seemed to trigger a downward spiral for Gerrard and his squad. The situation deteriorated to such an extent that fans started jeering the players off the pitch, especially after a 2-0 loss to local rivals Al-Qadsiah.
Gerrard and his family live in Bahrain
Gerrard and his family live in Bahrain (Image: Instagram/stevengerrard)
The previous season mirrored this pattern. Al-Ettifaq embarked on the campaign with a series of wins before stumbling in the autumn. Between September 2023 and March 2024, Al-Ettifaq managed only two league victories, and Gerrard will be keen to avoid such a prolonged wait for his second win this time.
The club currently sits 11th in the table, a staggering 21 points behind league leaders Al-Ittihad, and 13 away from AFC Champions League Elite qualification spots. With just six points separating them from the relegation zone, another slip-up in the coming weeks could leave Gerrard on the verge of dismissal... a fate his ex-colleagues have already faced.
As Al-Ettifaq's winless streak worsened, club executives began to feel uneasy. Gerrard was spared the chop, but his assistant, Dean Holden, and sporting director, Mark Allen, weren't so fortunate.
Gerrard is facing the music in Saudi Arabia
Gerrard is facing the music in Saudi Arabia (Image: Saudi Pro League)
Both men were recruited to support Gerrard, but neither had the desired impact. Results did improve after Holden's arrival in February, but initial hopes that he and Gerrard might have struck gold together quickly faded.
Allen's departure is particularly significant, given his previous work with Gerrard at Rangers. However, as one familiar face departs, another arrives. Michael Beale - who has worked with Gerrard at Liverpool, Rangers, and Aston Villa - steps in as Holden's replacement.
While the financial allure of Saudi Arabia may be irresistible to some football figures, it's often a different story for their families. The Gulf nation's strict, conservative culture, especially its stringent restrictions on women, often makes it difficult for westerners to fully assimilate.
As such, many families of players and coaches lured to Saudi Arabia in recent years have stayed behind or, like Gerrard's wife Alex, chosen to live in neighbouring Bahrain - a far more liberal nation than the Kingdom next door.
Living in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, with Steven and their four children is where she calls home. Conveniently, it's only an hour's drive from Dammam, the Saudi Arabian city where Al-Ettifaq are based. Gerrard has been provided a luxury villa in the city, which he occasionally uses. However, his family have made Bahrain their permanent residence.
Their family friends have praised them for executing a tactical masterstroke. Their six-bedroom villa, just a stone's throw away from the residences of the Bahraini Royal family, boasts its own swimming pool and tennis court. While it may seem like they're living the high life, if Al-Ettifaq's performances don't pick up soon, this comfort could be fleeting.