Gerrard Backed To Be Sacked During First Saudi Pro League Season After Taking Over Al-Ettifaq

Steven Gerrard has been backed to get the boot during his first season as manager of Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League according to exclusive odds compiled by SportsLens.

• SportsLens reveal Steven Gerrard is favoured to be sacked during his first season in charge
• Betting traders reckon Al-Ettifaq are more likely to be relegated than win the league under Gerrard
• Al-Ettifaq are almost even money to face a first round elimination in the King Cup

The former England and Liverpool manager has been named manager of Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq on a two-year contract, shocking the football world.

We had our trader price up some different scenarios regarding Gerrard’s return to management after being sacked by Aston Villa and it doesn’t look pretty.

Steven Gerrard Al-Ettifaq Specials

• To win the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League – 20/1
• To be relegated from the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League – 16/1
• To win the King Cup – 12/1
• To be eliminated in the King Cup first round – 6/4
• Gerrard sacked during the 2023/24 season – 7/4

SportsLens Head of News Lee Astley said: “Steven Gerrard won’t face an easy task in Saudi Arabia and Al-Ettifaq were an average side last season, finishing seventh and 35 points off the pace as Al-Ittihad won the league.

“He’s up against it with the reigning champions making a number of big-money moves like signing Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, N’Golo Kante from Chelsea and Celtic winger Jota.

“Not to mention Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr who have added Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan. Al-Hilal have also signed Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly.

“Gerrard will need a miracle transfer window to give himself any chance of challenging for the league title next season.”

Relegation appears to be a longshot but so does winning the league for Gerrard

SportsLens’ odds compilers are expecting Al-Ettifaq to be a mid-table side once again and with their rivals continuing so strengthen, Gerrard faces a monumental task to turn the club into title contenders.

The 43-year-old is reportedly seeking to make a move for Rangers star Scott Wright, but he’ll need a lot more punching power than that to make significant progress.

First round defeat in the King Cup looms for Al-Ettifaq

Our traders believe Gerrard’s side are a 6/4 chance to be eliminated in the round of 16 of the King Cup, which features teams from the Saudi Pro League and Al-Fayha are defending champions.

Last season, the club were dealt an embarrassing 4-0 loss at the hands of Al-Hilal and failed to make it past the first round.

Can Gerrard attract enough talent to make a push for the title?

Soon we will truly see how much pulling power Steven Gerrard has as he looks to assemble a title-challenging side at Al-Ettifaq, who haven’t won the Saudi Pro League since 1987.

The club’s last major honour came in 2016, winning the First Division (second tier of Saudi football).

Recent reports have suggested Gerrard is keen on a move for former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata.

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