Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq have officially confirmed the departure of their manager, Steven Gerrard, by mutual consent following a challenging campaign.

Gerrard, who took charge of the club in July 2023, initially signed a long-term contract extension in January 2024. However, despite leading Al-Ettifaq to a sixth-place finish last season, the team’s poor run of form this term saw them drop to 12th in the league standings, ultimately leading to his exit.

Reports of Gerrard’s growing frustrations had surfaced in recent weeks, and the club has now reached an agreement to terminate his contract.

Expressing his appreciation for his time at the club, the former Liverpool captain said: “I want to express my gratitude to the club, the players, the fans and everyone involved for the opportunity and the support during my time here, especially the president, Mr. Samer, CEO Mr. Hamad and the head of the football committee Mr. Hatim.

“I express my gratitude for Mr. Samer and Mr. Hatim from the first day I was warmly welcomed and I have enjoyed to work in a new country with a different culture. So overall I have learnt a lot and it’s been a positive experience personally and for my family as well.

“But football is unpredictable, and sometimes things don’t go the way we want. However, I leave with the great respect for the club and the country, I have no doubt that the work being done will bring success in the future, and I wish the team the very best for the rest of the season.”

During his tenure, Gerrard oversaw several high-profile signings, including former Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson, whose stint in Saudi Arabia was short-lived as he left for Ajax after just six months.

Other notable arrivals such as Demarai Gray, Georginio Wijnaldum, Jack Hendry, and Moussa Dembélé remain with the club.

With Gerrard’s departure, Al Ettifaq will now look to appoint a new manager to stabilize their season and push for better results in the Saudi Pro League.

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Ajax has officially announced the signing of Jordan Henderson on a contract spanning two and a half years. This move comes after the termination of his contract with Al-Ettifaq, marking the conclusion of a challenging stint in Saudi Arabia. The 33-year-old swiftly departed from the Saudi Pro League team, unable to find his footing in the country since departing from Liverpool the previous summer.

Following the confirmation of his signing, the English international promptly expressed gratitude to his former teammates and fans via social media. He also took the opportunity to elucidate the reasons behind his departure from the Saudi club.

‘I’m sad to say that I will be leaving Al-Ettifaq with immediate effect.’ He wrote on X, formerly Twitter. ‘It wasn’t an easy decision but one that I feel is best for me and my family.

‘I want to take this opportunity to thank the club & the fans for all the support during my time. I really felt the love from Day One. I’ll keep watching & hoping for your success. Good luck for the future.’

I’m sad to say that I will be leaving Al Ettifaq with immediate effect. It wasn’t an easy decision but one that I feel is best for me and my family.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the club & the fans for all the support during my time. I really felt the love from Day… pic.twitter.com/Jouk4ad6Gf

— Jordan Henderson (@JHenderson) January 18, 2024

In a video announcement, Ajax celebrated the significant signing, praising Jordan Henderson’s leadership skills and his familiarity with playing in ‘red and white,’ harkening back to his formative years with his childhood club, Sunderland.

Jordan, welcome to Ajax ❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/nAZhQACt5E

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) January 18, 2024

Ajax interim boss John van’t Schip told the club’s website: ‘We wanted an experienced midfielder with leadership qualities. Partially due to injuries in the team, we were looking for someone who could step in immediately. Jordan Henderson is that type of player.

‘His arrival means a huge enhancement for our squad. Both on and off the pitch, a football player of this calibre is important for our many young players.

‘He’s an English international player and has won the Champions League and many other prizes with Liverpool. I am happy he’s here.’

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According to reports, Jordan Henderson has agreed to leave the Saudi Pro League team Al Ettifaq and is on the verge of permanently joining Ajax.

The three-year deal that the England international signed last summer is currently being finalized between him and his present team, guaranteeing that there won’t be a transfer fee associated with the midfielder’s departure.

Henderson has agreed to a potential deal with Ajax and is currently returning to the UK from Al Ettifaq’s winter training camp in Abu Dhabi.

🚨⚪️🔴 Jordan Henderson to Ajax, here we go! Agreement completed right now as former Liverpool captain will travel to Amsterdam on Thursday.

Medical tests to follow tomorrow.

Top signing revealed last week now done.

Exclusive story, confirmed.@TurkishAirlines ✈️ pic.twitter.com/WGCiFwFK0T

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 17, 2024

Before the 33-year-old former Liverpool midfielder’s temporary comeback to European football is finalized, paperwork and other formalities around that prospective move must be worked out.

Henderson’s exit from Saudi Arabia comes just six months after his move from Anfield.

Henderson left Liverpool after a 12-year tenure in July to travel to Saudi Arabia, and in September, he justified his decision following significant criticism, telling The Athletic in an exclusive interview that he wanted to “achieve something special and build a club and build the league.”

He played 17 times in the SPL, making four assists for the side led by former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard, but left midway through his first season with the club.

Henderson has also failed to impress at Al-Ettifaq, which is coached by another former Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, and now ranks eighth in the Saudi Pro League. For league officials, his decision to force a move back to Europe represents a big blow to their ambitions of making Saudi Arabia a leading player in world football.

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Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has revealed why he left the club to join Saudi Pro League team Al-Ettifaq.

Henderson departed Liverpool after 12 years to join Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia in a deal worth £12 million ($15.4 million) plus add-ons.

The England player, who has always been an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, faced a lot of opposition from groups after his move to Saudi Arabia was announced, but he claims the move was not driven by money.

“That was the hardest thing. People will see this club come with loads of money and he’s just gone, ‘Yeah, I’m going.’ When in reality that just wasn’t the case at all. People can believe me or not, but in my life and my career, money has never been a motivation. Ever. Don’t get me wrong, when you move, the business deal has to be tight. You have to have financials, you have to feel wanted, you have to feel valued. And money is a part of that. But that wasn’t the sole reason. And these possibilities came up before money was even mentioned,” he told The Athletic.

Henderson also claimed that his move could be a good thing for the LGBTQ+ community.

“I think people know what my views and values were before I left and still do now. And I think having someone with those views and values in Saudi Arabia is only a positive thing,” he explained.

“Not once have they said, “You can do this, you can’t do this.” And I think it can only be a positive thing to try to open up like around Qatar. In the end, around Qatar, having a World Cup there shined a light on certain issues where I think in the end, I might be wrong, but they changed some rules and regulations to be able to host the World Cup and I think that’s positive. That’s the way you try to create positive change. And I’m not saying that I can do that. I’m one person.”

 Henderson also spoke about ending his long-standing association and said Jurgen Klopp had made it clear he would have to accept a reduced role if he stayed on.

“There were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing. I’ve got a very good relationship with Jurgen. He was very honest with me. I won’t go into detail about the conversation because it’s private, but it put me in a position where I knew that I wasn’t going to be playing as much. I knew there were going to be new players coming in my position,” he added.

“If one of those people said to me, “Now we want you to stay”, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. And I have to then think about what’s next for me in my career. Now, that’s not to say that they forced me out of the club or they were saying they wanted me to leave but at no point did I feel wanted by the club or anyone to stay.”

The next game for Steven Gerrard’s team will take place on Saturday when they take on Abha in the Saudi Pro League.

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With a three-year contract for allegedly £700,000 per week, Henderson terminated his 12-year Anfield career to reunite with fellow former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard at Saudi Pro League team Al Ettifaq.

The club captain’s departure was addressed by Liverpool manager Klopp in an interview posted on the club’s official website, and he acknowledged that the Reds would miss him going into the 2023–24 season.

“Monday when we arrived back in Liverpool, Hendo was waiting for us to say goodbye properly to the team and to the coaching staff as well, so that was a really nice gesture – a really nice thing to do,” Klopp revealed.

“I know it was a really, really tough decision for Hendo and I was around or with him all the way. It’s sad, absolutely strange, because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool, but I think it is exciting for him as well.

“We will miss him, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s clear – as a man and as a player. But, as I said, that’s football.”

Klopp also talked about the legacy Henderson will leave at Liverpool after leading the team to victories in the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League.

“In the future when people are looking back then they will realise Jordan Henderson was the skipper of [our] most successful squad until then – I hope we can create another one – and the skipper of the first Premier League title winners and all these kind of things,” Klopp explained.

“That’s a special career. He should be and will be in the future proud of it.”

“You are a legend. I know people say recently we use that word slightly too often, I can tell you, that it’s not in your case.“

The boss says goodbye to the skipper @JHenderson ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0QgjshRYTn

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 27, 2023

According to our information, Liverpool is presently looking for a replacement for Henderson and is planning a second offer for Romeo Lavia after having their first offer turned down by the midfielder’s current club Southampton.

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Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has finalized his transfer to Al Ettifaq of the Saudi Pro League.

The former Reds captain, who recently chose to accept Al Ettifaq’s offer to coach the team, has reconnected with the England international.

Henderson was one of the players Gerrard initially wanted to sign when we first made the announcement at the beginning of July.

Henderson’s 12-year tenure at Anfield has come to an end after signing a contract with Al Ettifaq.

https://twitter.com/Ettifaq_EN/status/1684523750966849537

On Wednesday, the midfielder tweeted a lengthy farewell letter to the team’s supporters.

It's hard to put these last 12 years into words and it's even harder to say goodbye. I will always be a Red. Until the day I die.

Thank you for everything.

You'll never walk alone.

Jordan ❤️https://t.co/nj2dY6S58W

— Jordan Henderson (@JHenderson) July 26, 2023

Liverpool also sent him a farewell message, wishing him well after he had inspired one of the team’s most prosperous eras.

“As his Anfield chapter now comes to a close with a move to Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, everybody at Liverpool Football Club wishes to place on record their thanks and gratitude for everything Jordan Henderson did for the club during his 12 years as a Red,” the club’s long statement ended.

Henderson left Sunderland in 2011 to join Liverpool, although in his first few years on Merseyside, he had trouble leaving a positive impact.

Following Steven Gerrard’s departure in 2015, he was given the captaincy. Under Brendan Rodgers, he emerged as one of their important players during the 2013–14 Premier League season in which they narrowly missed winning the championship.

Henderson leaves Liverpool having made 492 appearances, scored 33 goals, and won eight trophies, including seven while serving as captain.

We can confirm @JHenderson has completed a transfer to Al-Ettifaq.

As his Anfield chapter now comes to a close, everyone at the club wishes to place on record their thanks and gratitude for everything Jordan did for us during his 12 years as a Red 👏

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 27, 2023

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According to reports, Jordan Henderson has accepted an offer from Al Ettifaq, and Liverpool is now prepared to talk transfer fees with Steven Gerrard’s team.

The 33-year-old has given the Saudi Pro League club’s offer, which would allow him to play alongside former teammate Steven Gerrard, significant consideration.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Henderson has now verbally agreed the move in principle and the contract has been agreed. The player has even spoken to manager Jurgen Klopp and the coach has given him the “green light” to make the move.

Henderson is under contract with Liverpool through 2025, and they will seek a transfer price in exchange for the player. Before giving him permission to fly to Saudi Arabia, the two teams will now negotiate the player’s value.

Romeo Lavia of Southampton has already been identified by Liverpool as a potential replacement, and the club is prepared to make a proposal for the midfielder, who is valued at £50 million ($63 million).

Al-Ittihad are apparently preparing a £40 million deal for the Brazilian, and Fabinho has additionally been linked with a move to the Middle East.

After 492 appearances for Liverpool, it appears that Henderson will finally say goodbye to Anfield. After Steven Gerrard left in 2015, he was appointed captain and guided the team to Premier League and Champions League success.

A Liverpool LGBTQ+ organisation is “appalled and concerned” about his decision to play in a nation where homosexuality is prohibited, thus his transfer to Saudi Arabia has outraged some supporters.

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