Steven Gerrard's dressing room 'full of sadness' speaks volumes as things get worse - The Mirror

Steven Gerrard's time at the helm of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq has taken a turn for the worse, with the head coach "embarrassed" amid calls for him to be sacked

Steven Gerrard's "dressing room of sadness" can only have worsened with his Al-Ettifaq side sliding down the Saudi Pro League table.

After being named manager in the summer of 2023, Liverpool legend Gerrard didn't get off to the greatest of starts in the Middle East. Alongside ex-Reds skipper Jordan Henderson, the 44-year-old only mustered six wins from his opening 14 league matches – and came clean about the ‘sadness’ at early performances felt throughout his Al-Ettifaq cohort.

Ending up in what was considered an average sixth, Gerrard came into this term backed both financially and with a new deal that should keep him at the club until 2027, leaving expectations high.

However, his tenure has taken a sharp downward curve. With nine games gone, his side has managed just three victories. Fans have turned, and the club’s board have begun to lose patience, as it seems such disappointment has carried over to the current campaign.

Back in 2023, when Gerrard’s tenure was just beginning, a 1-1 draw against 2022/23 champions Al-Ittihad – in which another former Red, Georginio Wijnaldum, scored his side's only goal – saw the head coach reveal he and his side's dismay.

"The dressing room was full of sadness on my player's faces because of the draw," Gerrard stated. "We are disappointed with the result. We were closer to getting the three points. No player deserves to be changed, to be honest. That's why we did not use the bench for this match."

In the time since, Henderson, who shared such sadness, has left for Ajax, and Gerrard continues to underperform with Al-Ettifaq. His team, having lost four and drawn two, have only found the back of the net eight times in the league - a figure bested by every other Saudi Pro League side bar two in the relegation zone.

Last year, a low seemed to be a narrow draw against a top side; however, now, it seems as though the squad have fallen to even shallower depths, losing 2-0 to newly promoted Al-Qadsiah on Saturday, and the manager being questioned for his tactical approach.

Fans could be heard verbally berating Gerrard after the home loss, with he and his players being booed off. The former England man took responsibility post-match.

"I spoke to the players. If we had performed like this before, we would not have put ourselves in this embarrassing situation, but I bear the responsibility. I bear full responsibility for using a young player (Meshal Sibyani), as he has little experience. Using him was not appropriate, but due to injuries, we were put in this position,” Gerrard admitted after the result.

"On the back of recent results in my position, you are always aware of disappointment from fans, and I have to take that responsibility on my shoulders. This is what I will do and continue to fight and work to improve the recent results."

Their next league clash? A visit to current league leaders and defending champions Al-Hilal, who boast the likes of Alexander Mitrovic, Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo. Should Gerrard keep up this negative trajectory, the sadness he felt last year could morph into a nightmare, and his days in the Middle East could be numbered.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.