Former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard claims he has a 'lot in common' with Al-Ettifaq as he outlines 3 reasons behind move

Steven Gerrard believes he has a 'lot on common' with new club Al-Ettifaq and that there were a number of factors behind his decision to take the job.

The former Rangers manager shocked the world when he was announced as the new head coach of the Saudi Pro League, biding his time to return to the dugout after being sacked by Aston Villa. It was a poor run of form in the Midlands that saw the Liverpool icon get the axe, and reports suggested an initial offer from the financially-bulging league to Gerrard was deemed insufficient.

Nevertheless the ex-Ibrox man is at the helm of Ettifaq, as debate between his former England team mates Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand raged on social media when the 43-year-old was appointed. Sky Sports man Carragher had called on UEFA and the Premier League to take action over the 'sportswashing' from Saudi but Ferdinand called him out on his 'silence' at Gerrard's move.

Gerrard, however, says there was a number of factors that led to his decision to join Ettifaq and that fans can expect a realignment of the entire club under his watch. He told the club's media: "I think there were a lot of reasons for me wanting to join the club. I think the club has a lot of good people who represent the club from the board down. When I went down to Saudi I got a real family feel, they made me feel extremely welcome.

"There are three things that I always consider and they are in a particular order. It needs to be right for my family first and foremost, we have to be excited and motivated by the challenge. I think the football project needs to be ambitious, it needs to be for the right reasons in terms of the challenge and the remit. And of course you need to feel secure, that the contract is right, but