Steven Gerrard holds meeting with Al-Ettifaq chiefs amid calls for him to quit £15.2m job after disaster run of results
STEVEN GERRARD held talks with Al-Ettifaq’s chiefs this week as he fights to keep his £15.2million-a-year job.
Gerrard, 44, is facing calls to leave after a string of poor form was compounded by a shock cup exit.
The Liverpool and England legend is now 16 months into his whopping £15.2m-per-year contract in the Middle East.
And things have got off to a torrid start this season with his star-studded side winning just three of their opening eight league games.
Things only got worse when Al-Ettifaq crashed out of Saudi Arabia‘s biggest cup competition to a second division side.
Gerrard’s team lost 3-1 to Al-Jabalain in the King Cup of Champions round of 16, with the former Aston Villa boss benching Moussa Dembele.
The ex-Three Lions captain revealed he held crisis talks with Al-Ettifaq’s owners – but vowed to fight for his job.
He said: “On the back of recent results in my position you are always aware of disappointment from fans, I have to take that responsibility on my shoulders.
“That is what I will do and continue to fight and work to improve the recent results.
“I don’t react, change or get overconcerned about social media or anyone on the outside of Ettifaq’s opinion, my priority is this club.
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“I listen to the people within and continue to support my players.
“I meet Mr Hatim (head of football Hatim Al Misehal) after every game and we talk football, where it is a win, loss or draw, we have fantastic support, myself, the staff and the players from the management team.
“We did meet yesterday but we meet after every single game.”
Al-Ettifaq are currently 11th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points above the drop.
That is despite boasting a squad with players such as Dembele, Georginio Wijnaldum and Demarai Gray.
Pressure is mounting on Gerrard as fans and pundits are beginning to voice their concern over his ability to lead the team to success.
Al-Ettifaq managed a sixth place finish under his guidance last season, finishing some 48 POINTS behind champions Al-Hilal.
Watching Liverpool
Gerrard recently revealed he scheduled his team’s training sessions so that he could watch Liverpool games.
The revelation only incensed his critics.
The Premier League legend looked to explain those comments, saying: “I am aware of where it came from.
“I was on a podcast trying to raise money for a children’s charity to make the charity survive and continue.
“I was asked if I still followed Liverpool and I said, ‘Of course I still follow Liverpool,’ they played a huge part of my life and shaped me as a player, person and coach I am today.
“I want to make it abundantly clear my priority is Ettifaq, I have a contract with Ettifaq and I am in a real privileged position.
“I respect all my previous clubs, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Rangers and LA Galaxy, but my main importance is this job and trying to make this club in the best possible way on and off the field. I am all in and I will continue to be all in.”