Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard is set to return to managerial duties as he has reportedly agreed to become the manager of Saudi outfit Al Ettifaq FC. A photo of the former Rangers and Aston Villa boss at an airport in Saudi Arabia was leaked in a tweet by Olt Sports this morning, Monday, June 12. They captioned it: ‘JUST IN: Steven Gerrard has arrived in Dammam Saudi Arabia to coach Al-Ettifaq!’ ✅ JUST IN: Steven Gerrard has arrived in Dammam Saudi Arabia to coach Al-Ettifaq! 🔴🟢🔴 pic.twitter.com/TyE7hQk8Kh — Olt Sports (@oltsport_) June 12, 2023 Gerrard, who was sacked by Aston Villa in October, had previously been linked with the vacant jobs at Leeds and Leicester. Al Ettifaq are keen to appoint him, with one source close to the possible deal telling Reuters: “Al Ettifaq made an offer to Gerrard. He welcomed the idea, but asked for time to study the offer.” Al Ettifaq competes in the Saudi Pro League, the same division as Cristiano Ronaldo’s side Al Nassr. They finished 7th this season and 35 points behind champions Al Ittihad, Karim Benzema’s new club.
Gerrard overseeing an Aston Villa match. Source: Getty Should he join Al Ettifaq, Steven Gerrard will be taking charge of the third senior club of his management career. Following a spell as a youth coach at Liverpool, he joined Rangers and won the Scottish Premiership in his third season. Gerrard then left in November 2021 to make the move to Villa, although results at the club were mixed. He endured a dreadful start to the 2022/23 campaign and was relieved of his duties at Villa Park two months into the season.
Gerrard on managerial duties. Source: Getty However, Al Ettifaq could offer him the chance to revitalise his managerial career in a league that’s attracting some of the biggest stars in world football. Al Ettifaq FC Gerrard’s star players will include strikers Youssoufou Niakaté and Robin Quaison, who scored 14 goals between them last season. The Saudi Pro League is already seeing many big names from Europe fly over to join clubs in the division.
Postecoglou celebrating a win with Celtic. Source: Getty The breaking news comes on the back of Celtic’s 3-1 Scottish Cup victory over Inverness on Saturday, June 3. Postecoglou brought the Scottish Premiership title back to Celtic Park in his first season, and his team successfully defended their crown in 2022-23 while also scooping the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup to complete a treble. However, Postecoglou refused to commit his future to Celtic following the club’s latest trophy. He told reporters after their last title win; “I anticipate enjoying this moment for the next 24-48 hours, as long as I can, before someone drags me away and takes my attention away from enjoying something that’s been hard-earned.” Late last week, popular journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Tottenham was scheduled to discuss the role with Postecoglou after the Scottish Cup on Monday or Tuesday. Romano tweeted an update on Sunday afternoon, confirming the Athletic’s earlier report. New round of talks scheduled in the next 24/48h between Tottenham and CAA agency in order to complete the agreement for Ange Postecoglou. 🚨⚪️ #THFC Contract almost agreed, waiting on the final details to be sorted then it will be sealed. pic.twitter.com/SvByI0TemG — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2023 Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou are closer to agreeing terms than earlier thought. Despite Tottenham being in a state of confusion, even disarray, the open role will appeal greatly to Postecoglou, who hasn’t yet managed in Europe’s top five leagues. Postecoglou has earned huge admirers in the game for his expansive and entertaining work at Celtic. The Australian is commonly seen as one of the most exciting managers in world football. Tottenham on the other hand, endured a miserable campaign during the 2022/23 season, despite remaining unbeaten in nine of their opening 11 Premier League matches. The Lilywhites’ form fell off a cliff either side of the World Cup in Qatar, which resulted in Conte heading for the exit. The Italian’s interim replacement Cristian Stellini lasted less than a month before ex-midfielder Ryan Mason steered the ship for the final month of the campaign. 
Postecoglou at a Celtic match. Source: Getty But Mason was unable to turn the team’s form around and Spurs ultimately ended up missing out on securing any form of European football next season as they finished eighth in the Premier League table. In taking on the Spurs job, Postecoglou would become the fourth permanent manager employed by Daniel Levy since the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino in late-2018. Tottenham has been unable to get their hands on any silverware since they lifted the League Cup under Juande Ramos in 2008. Mauricio Pochettino did lead the club to the Champions League final in 2019, where they were ultimately beaten by Liverpool. And they also reached the Carabao Cup final in 2021. But the team lost to Manchester City on that occasion and haven’t realistically been in contention for any major trophies over the last two years. 
Cristian Stellini has been sacked by Tottenham after a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday, April 23. 
Stellini took over on an interim basis on March 26 after Antonio Conte was sacked. In a statement confirming his sack, Tottenham stated that Sunday’s performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable and was devastating to see. A statement from Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy read; “Sunday’s performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable. It was devastating to see. We can look at many reasons why it happened and whilst myself, the Board, the coaches and players must all take collective responsibility, ultimately the responsibility is mine. “Cristian will leave his current role along with his coaching staff. Cristian stepped in at a difficult point in our season and I want to thank him for the professional manner in which he and his coaching staff have conducted themselves during such a challenging time. We wish him and his staff well.” 
35-year-old Nagelsmann who was recently sacked and replaced by former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich, was the front-runner for the role, but Football London reported that he has pulled out of the race. Popular sports journalist Fabrizio Romano who also confirmed the development, tweeted; “Julian Nagelsmann has now withdrawn from the race to become the new Chelsea head coach — it looks like it’s his final decision. German coach is said to be no longer available after multiple round of talks. Nagelsmann was top candidate for the job.” EXCLUSIVE: Julian Nagelsmann has now withdrawn from the race to become the new Chelsea head coach — it looks like it’s his final decision. 🚨🔵 #CFC German coach is said to be no longer available after multiple round of talks. Nagelsmann was top candidate for the job. pic.twitter.com/vkU5zcxISH — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 21, 2023 The news arrives as a fresh blow to Chelsea’s owners and many others who are admirers of Nagelsmann. Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will now likely emerge as the favourite after another set of positive talks with the Chelsea board. 
Last Thursday, Nagelsmann was in London for face-to-face talks which were said to be ‘very positive’ according to Sky Germany. Luis Enrique appeared alongside the young head coach in the Chelsea manager race, but it was then revealed the former Spain boss was out of the frame to be Graham Potter’s permanent successor. 
The Blues defeated Manchester City to win the Champions League in 2021, few months after Tuchel was appointed as manager of the team. Cancelo who was one of the regular starters at Manchester City at the time, is now hoping to create more positive memories in 2023 with his new boss. 
The Bayern Munich star who spoke to Sport TV after helping Portugal get a 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein in their opening game of Euro 2024 qualification, said; “I’ve only found out now. I know I won’t find Nagelsmann when I return to Munich. He wanted me at Bayern, I’d like to thank him. As for Tuchel, he made me lose a Champions League final, so I hope he will win it for me this year!” 
Nagelsmann was axed after Bayern lost 2-1 at Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Sunday, March 19, allowing Dortmund to move to the top of the Bundesliga table. The 35-year-old took charge in 2021 and led Bayern to their 10th German title in a row last season, but they have been unable to replicate that form, and the hierarchy have acted ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals next month. Popular journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Bayern already has a full agreement in place with Tuchel, with final documents being prepared on Thursday night. 
The sack came after Vieira oversaw a winless run of 12 matches. The South London club has not won any match in 2023 and they were facing an immediate danger of relegation given the resurgence of teams towards the bottom, such as Everton and Bournemouth and there’s just five points separating Southampton in 20th and Palace in 12th. Palace has not confirmed who will replace Vieira or take charge of Sunday’s Premier League game against Arsenal at the Emirates. Ex-Leeds boss Jesse Marsch and former Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl are the early frontrunners for the job, but a permanent successor is unlikely to be in place before this weekend’s match against Arsenal. Vieira’s backroom staff, Osian Roberts, Kristian Wilson, and Said Aigoun, have also left Selhurst Park. Dean Kiely will remain as goalkeeping coach. 
Palace chairman Steve Parish said in a statement; “It is with enormous regret that this difficult decision has been made. “Ultimately, results in recent months have placed us in a precarious league position and we felt a change is necessary to give us the best chance of retaining Premier League status. That said, Patrick’s impact since joining us in the summer of 2021 has been significant, and he is held in the highest regard by myself, and all of his colleagues. “He led the team to a Wembley FA Cup semi-final and respectable 12th placed finish last season playing some exciting football, which was a challenging and crucial campaign for the club given the changes we made to the squad prior to his arrival. “Patrick has given his all to the club, and we all thank him and his team for their service. We also wish Patrick, Osian, Kristian and Saïd the very best for their futures.”