Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard breaks silence on surprise decision after Al-Ettifaq sacking

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard says Al-Ettifaq they need time to develop and improve after the shock return of former assistant Michael Beale. The former QPR and Sunderland manager joined the 44-year-old in Saudi Arabia following the surprise sacking of Mark Allen and Dean Holden at Al-Ettifaq.

In a statement earlier this month, the Saudi Pro League side revealed that they had axed executive sporting director, Allen, and assistant manager Holden by mutual consent. It comes as the latest twist in Gerrard's tenure in the Middle East as Ettifaq were dumped out of the King Cup and face the challenge of qualifying for the AFC Champions League.

On Sunday, Ettifaq were held away at Al Riyadh as their wait for a win extended to eight matches - their last triumph coming in a 2-0 cup win over Saudi First Division side Al-Adalah, in September. Gerrard's Ettifaq were then dumped out of the competition by lower-league opposition when Al Jabalain ran out 3-1 winners, sparking the structural changes in Dammam.

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Beale was installed as the new assistant manager last week, continuing the relationship with Gerrard after joining him at Rangers and Aston Villa - before he ventured on his own managerial journey.

"The club made decisions regarding the departure of Mark Allen and Dean Holden," said Gerrard. "The decision was also made to bring Michael Beale in who is a super coach, we spent years together previously and it's great to have him back with me.

"Now we need some time to develop and improve."

There is no let up in the fixture list for the former Liverpool captain as they host league leaders Al Ittihad on Saturday. Ettifaq currently sit 12th, five points clear of the bottom three but 10 away from the AFC Champions League spots with Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr occupying third place, as it stands.

Gerrard will be hoping his players can overcome the title contenders, whose only defeat came against rival Al Hilal in September with Ittihad winning every game since.