STEVEN GERRARD is keen to take Neil Critchley with him to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.
Critchley quit his post as Blackpool boss to be Gerrard’s No 2 at Aston Villa last summer.
Steven Gerrard wants to reunite with former assistant Neil Critchley at Al-EttifaqGetty
Gerrard took over as Al-Ettifaq’s new manager in Saudi ArabiaReuters
And this latest offer is giving him a huge headache — as Critchley only returned to the Seasiders in May.
Gerrard was out of work since he was sacked by Villa in October last year.
The Liverpool legend initially rejected an offer from the Middle Eastern club last month.
The 43-year-old tactician travelled to Saudi Arabia for talks with club chiefs, before ultimately declining the proposal.
But the ex-Rangers boss made a dramatic U-turn and accepted the job to become manager after discussions restarted.
Al-Ettifaq finished seventh in the Saudi Pro League last season, 35 points adrift of champions Al-Ittihad.
Gerrard is tasked with turning things around as he becomes the latest football stars to move to Saudi Arabia.
The former England international joins the likes of Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo as well as Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante who just recently moved to Al-Ittihad.
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However, Gerrard will have to face the country’s Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) billions after they acquired four league teams – Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr.
Al-Ettifaq were left out of the initiative, which many claim is an attempt of sportswashing by the state to cover for the numerous cases of human rights abuse in the country.
The PIF also owns 80 per cent of Newcastle in the Premier League.
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