Gerrard quits Al-Ettifaq after 18 months

Steven Gerrard has left his role as manager of Al-Ettifaq by mutual consent after 18 months in charge of the club.
The former Aston Villa and Rangers boss joined the Saudi Arabian club in July 2023.
Ex-England and Liverpool midfielder, Gerrard, signed a two-year contract extension in January 2024, which was due to keep him at the club until 2027.
But Al-Ettifaq have won just five of their 17 league matches this season, leaving them five points above the relegation zone.
Ettifaq club president, Same Al Misehal, said Gerrard transformed the club during his year-and-a-half in charge.
After a stellar playing career with Liverpool and England, 44-year-old Gerrard began his managerial career with Rangers in 2018 and led the club to their first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years in 2020-21.
He succeeded Dean Smith as Villa manager in November 2021, but was sacked after 11 months in charge after only 13 wins in 40 games.
Gerrard guided Al-Ettifaq to a sixth-place finish during his first season in charge.
But he leaves with them 12th in a 16-team league, having won 23 of his 59 matches in charge, with only five wins this campaign.
Gerrard was reportedly one of the best-paid managers in world football during his time in Saudi Arabia, on a salary of about £15m-a-year.—BBC