Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard is confident he can turn around Al-Ettifaq's fortunes after signing a two-year extension until 2027.
The 43-year-old has been in charge of the Saudi Pro League since the summer and enjoyed a strong start in Dammam winning five of their opening seven. However, they soon plunged down the table and going into the winter break they sat in eighth - winless in two months with their last triumph coming at the end of March.
Reports suggested Gerrard was facing pressure in Saudi Arabia following his run of four defeats and five draws. However, the former Rangers and Aston Villa boss has been shown faith by the board, just months after he urged for support in the transfer window.
Mohamed Salah injury scare as Liverpool star forced off in Egypt vs Ghana
Jordan Henderson breaks silence as former Liverpool captain completes Ajax transfer
Ettiaq are back in action on February 15 when they travel to Al Khaleej and upon the resumption of the Saudi Pro League. They sit 15 points off the AFC Cup qualification spots and some 28 points behind league leaders Al Hilal. The former Liverpool captain expressed his delight at penning new terms in the Middle East and despite their poor run of form, insists he is confident things will turn around.
"The renewal decision brought a lot of positive feelings for me and my family, as it was the culmination of the hard work and true dedication that everyone showed from day one," he began. "From the beginning, we realised the size of the responsibility and the number of challenges that awaited us, which prompted us to invest in creating new infrastructure, such as new training facilities and building a new stadium.
"We have achieved remarkable progress in these projects, as
Read on liverpoolecho.co.uk