Steven Gerrard revealed live on air that he will turn down an offer to manage a club in Saudi Arabia.
The Liverpool legend spoke publicly for the first time on the reports linking him with a move to the Middle East ahead of England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia.
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There had been reports that Gerrard was set to take a job from Saudi Arabia over becoming one of their club’s new managers, with Al Ettifaq linked.
The Gulf state has been piling money into their football league in recent weeks to make it one of the best in the world.
But Gerrard said live on air that he will not be taking on the role in the country.
Hosting Channel 4’s coverage of the England game was Jules Breach, with Joe Cole and Jill Scott alongside as pundits.
She asked former Aston Villa boss: “We know you have been linked to a job in Saudi Arabia, what can you tell us?”
Gerrard replied: “A lot has been said in the media, a lot of it is not true.
“I was invited over there to look at a potential offer, which I did.
“I have been analysing that for the last few days but where we stand right now, I won’t be taking that offer.”
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Gerrard has not managed since he was sacked by Aston Villa last season when he was dismissed in October 2022.
The 43-year-old was only in the post for 11 months after leaving Rangers, where he won the Scottish Premiership without losing a single league match.
America is a potential destination as well, where Gerrard spent the final year of his playing career at MLS club LA Galaxy.
But Saudi interest in transfers has exponentially grown over the past couple of months, kickstarted by Cristiano Ronaldo in what might be a new trend in football.
The Portuguese icon joined Al Nassr in December while Karim Benzema has also made the move to the Middle East nation having penned a deal with Al Ittihad.
Chelsea stars Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech and N’Golo Kante all look set to make the switch to Saudi Arabia too.
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And Riyad Mahrez, Ruben Neves and Thomas Partey are also Premier League players who could make the move.
However, no huge name in the managerial sphere has yet to sign for one of the Saudi clubs, though ex-Tottenham and Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo is in charge of Al Ittihad.
