The former Red has reportedly pulled out of a deal to coach in the Saudi league and could now take over at Sheffield Wednesday.
Steven Gerrard abruptly backed out of the job as manager of the Saudi team Al-Ettifaq this week despite traveling to Saudi Arabia last week to finalize an agreement to take over at the club, according to local media.
During this week’s coverage of the England national team, Gerrard said to Channel 4, “I was invited over there to look at a prospective offer, which I did. “I’ve been thinking about that for the past few days. But as things are, I won’t be accepting that offer.
By most accounts, the situation with Al-Ettifaq was well past the prospective offer and analysis stages when Gerrard decided that the Saudi league was the best option. Gerrard has not provided any additional details regarding the choice.
In place of Al-Ettifaq, a flurry of new reports have now begun to link Gerrard with Championship returnees Sheffield Wednesday, who surprised many lower league watchers when they decided to part ways with Darren Moore at the start of the week.
One of League One’s top teams last season, Sheffield earned 96 points but fell two points short of second place and immediate promotion to Ipswitch before going on to win the playoffs and securing promotion.
Therefore, it was anticipated that Moore would still lead them in the Championship in the upcoming campaign. But now, Gerrard might be attempting to restart his management career by getting Wednesday promoted to the second division in 2023–2024.
David Prutton, a former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, hypothesizes a potential explanation for Darren Moore leaving the Owls.
Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder David Prutton has delivered his verdict on Darren Moore’s shock exit as Owls manager.
Moore left Hillsborough by mutual consent, despite having led the club to promotion from League One less than a month prior. His departure stunned supporters and a replacement has not yet been announced.
Prutton, who represented Wednesday between 2011 and 2014, suggested Wednesday may be trying to secure back-to-back promotions while discussing Moore’s departure
He said: “Let’s not forget, they were a team that was one game away from the Premier League several seasons ago, so maybe that’s a reflection of where their thought process is. Maybe it’s not about consolidation, maybe they’re going to try and jump twice in two seasons.”
He admitted his surprise at the departure, hailing Moore as a “wonderful” man and a “very good” coach. Prutton said: “[I was] surprised, even though the cliché goes that you shouldn’t be surprised by anything in football, especially given how long we’ve all been talking about it. I thought after that first leg, there was a lot of consternation with regards to how his future at Sheffield Wednesday was going to pan out.
“I thought being able to do what the did in the second leg, being able to do what they did at Wembley, would mean that they would move forward with a little bit more consistency, with an air of balance and foundation to attack the Championship once again.
“However, a decision has been made. Darren is now gone. We all know Darren well, and we all think he’s a lovely, wonderful man and a very talented coach, but I don’t think it helps. But sometimes when talking about a situation like that, you have to put emotion aside.
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