The Saudi PIF is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to make the Saudi Professional League one of many world’s high soccer leagues.
Not solely have they made vital signings of high-profile gamers this summer time, however they’re additionally focusing on famend managers to guide their golf equipment.
Among the many spectacular participant signings are Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves, N’golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Along with gamers, the Saudi Professional League is actively pursuing top-class managers. One such goal is Max Allegri,. The league reportedly made a considerable provide to Allegri, which was initially turned down by him.
Undeterred, they’ve returned with an much more profitable proposal, tripling his present wages to an astonishing €30 million per season. This demonstrates the monetary muscle and ambition of the Saudi golf equipment of their mission to raise their league to world prominence.
Il rilancio promesso advert #Allegri dall’Arabia Saudita è arrivato: all in con un triennale da 30 milioni a stagione. #Juventus
— Giovanni Albanese (@GiovaAlbanese) June 24, 2023
One other huge identify they’re linked with is Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard. The previous Rangers and Aston Villa supervisor lately confirmed on Channel 4 that he obtained a proposal from Saudi however finally determined in opposition to accepting it.
He mentioned (by way of Day by day Mail): “I’ve been analysing that over the past couple of days. However, as we stand proper now, I gained’t be taking that supply up.”
And Liverpool correspondent Neil Jones in his newest column for CaughtOffside has revealed that the provide is now off the desk. He agreed {that a} transfer to Saudi wouldn’t have been one of the best transfer for him proper now.
He wrote:
“One other Liverpool determine being linked with Saudi Arabia is Steven Gerrard, nevertheless it seems to be like that’s now off the desk. Having been touted previously as a future Liverpool supervisor, I feel he’s received to select his subsequent job very, very fastidiously. I wouldn’t say it’s make or break for him simply but, nevertheless it’s an vital stage in his profession and I don’t assume Saudi Arabia could be the correct path for him proper now.”
Gerrard has been and not using a job since his sacking from Aston Villa final 12 months. Regardless of a disappointing spell at Villa, Jones believes that Gerrard deserves one other likelihood.
He highlighted Gerrard’s profitable tenure at Rangers, the place he ended Celtic’s dominance and led the staff to a long-awaited league title. He added:
“As a Liverpool correspondent, I’ve clearly received a vested curiosity in seeing him do effectively, however I do assume he deserves one other likelihood after his Aston Villa expertise.
“He didn’t get what he needed from that staff, however I wouldn’t write him off simply but. He didn’t get a variety of time, I feel it was lower than a 12 months, so I feel it could be harsh to guage him on that, particularly when there was preliminary promise when he first took over.
“He confirmed he can organise a staff, he attracted some huge signings like Philippe Coutinho, and Diego Carlos, let’s not overlook, who was unfortunate to get a critical harm not lengthy after he joined, and solely performed as soon as Gerrard was now not on the membership.”
Whereas Gerrard is probably not in line for a direct Premier League job, Jones additional claims that he ought to fastidiously take into account his subsequent membership. Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds have been linked with the Liverpool legend, presenting potential alternatives for him to showcase his managerial expertise as soon as once more.