Steven Gerrard has agreed a contract extension that could see him remain as manager of the Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq until at least 2027.
The former Rangers and Aston Villa coach moved to Saudi Arabia on a two-year deal in the summer after initially turning down the role.
But it has been a challenging start for Gerrard whose team are currently eighth in the table 28 points behind leaders Al-Hilal, having not win a game since October.
And just this week, captain and fellow summer arrival from England, midfielder Jordan Henderson, quit the club to join Dutch giants Ajax after playing just 19 games for Ettifaq.
But despite the problems experienced on the pitch, Ettifaq appear impressed with the progress made off it and former Liverpool and England captain Gerrard has committed himself to a long-term stay in the kingdom.
“As a club we know where we want to go and we know we want Steven to lead us on the journey ahead,” said club president Samer Al Misehal.
“There are no shortcuts to success and Steven’s personal work ethic, his leadership qualities and his commitment to the project has shown everyone at the club just what it will take to compete at the highest level.
We have a proud history and I believe we are now on the right path to return to former glories. We just have to keep going step by step. Steven will be given time and resources to continue on this journey and build something special.”
As for Gerrard, the 43-year-old acknowledged the backing he has received since joining the club.
“This is very pleasing for myself and my family and feels like recognition for a lot of hard work and commitment,” said Gerrard. “We knew at the beginning this was a big job and a challenging job.
“We had to put in place new infrastructure like building a new training ground in phases and building a new stadium. But a lot has been achieved.
“It's a relationship with me and the management team above me, that's growing, that's building, it's getting stronger, and I'm really looking forward to the future.”
Gerrard – who was sacked by Premier League Villa after less than a year in charge – also admitted that he knows only too well the fickle nature of football – but felt an upturn in the team's fortunes was just around the corner.
“I also understand my position, it’s a results business,” he added. “I never take that for granted. I understand where we are in the league, but I am very confident we will improve.
“The window is open at the moment, and we’re working to try to identify players who could come and support the current group of players to make us more competitive at the top end of the table. There will need to be an element of patience as there is still a lot to do on and off the pitch.”
While Henderson and his family reportedly struggled with life in the Middle East, Gerrard was at pains to point out that his experience has been nothing but positive.
“Before taking the job I’d never been to Saudi Arabia before, and it’s been the complete opposite of the perception that I had before.
“Since I’ve arrived, I’ve had an incredible welcome. The people have been outstanding. They’ve gone above and beyond to help us settle. My family has been all in, in terms of embracing the new adventure, a new challenge.
“We wanted to make the most of this and the family have settled extremely well. I’m happy. I’m excited. And that’s why I’m pleased to extend because we’re all enjoying the journey so far.
“The easy decision would be to stay in Liverpool, to wait for jobs. But as a family we decided we wanted something a little bit outside the box.
“I’ve learnt about adapting to a new culture, a new league, making new friends, facing new challenges. I think that has made a better person and a better coach and also made me mature a bit more as well.”
Ettifaq are currently in the UAE for a winter break where they will play three friendly fixtures while in camp before returning to competitive action in the SPL with a fixture against Al Khaleej on February 15.
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
At a glance
Fixtures All matches start at 9.30am, at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free
Thursday UAE v Ireland; Saturday UAE v Ireland; Jan 21 UAE v Scotland; Jan 23 UAE v Scotland
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (c), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
Mrs%20Chatterjee%20Vs%20Norway
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'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
The specs
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
England squads for Test and T20 series against New Zealand
Test squad: Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes
T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Pat Brown, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, James Vince
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
