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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Won Scottish Premiership title with Rangers</li><li>Struggled at Aston Villa &amp; in Saudi Arabia</li><li>Mulling over his options &amp; waiting on offers</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Steven Gerrard sees the game differently!' - Liverpool legend praised by ex-assistant for 'empowering' management style despite being sacked by Al-Ettifaq

Saudi Pro League

Al Kholood

Al-Ettifaq

Premier League

Liverpool

Arsenal

<p>The ex-England captain saw his managerial stock soar on the back of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wayne-rooney-brutally-told-why-cant-compared-steven-gerrard-man-utd-liverpool-legends-warned-great-player-coach/blt0471e8e6ca71cb83" target="_blank">leading Rangers to Scottish Premiership title glory</a>. He did, however, take a serious step backwards when returning to the Premier League ranks at Aston Villa.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>More struggles were endured during a forgettable stint in the Middle East with Al-Ettifaq, leading to an enforced break from the dugout being taken in. It remains to be seen <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/i-will-go-back-liverpool-legend-steven-gerrard-opens-up-on-plans-to-return-to-management-after-quitting-al-ettifaq/blt14d611a43c9051ca" target="_blank">when and where Gerrard will return to professional football</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Dean Holden, who worked alongside the 44-year-old in Saudi Arabia, believes that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/steven-gerrard-next-job-liverpool-legend-jump-opportunity-blackburn-saudi-pro-league-stepping-stone-coaching-role-england/bltf4c101fb30d58f6d" target="_blank">Gerrard still has plenty to offer</a> - with important lessons having been passed his way en route to now working in Turkey with Adana Demirspor.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Holden has told the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14568547/Dean-Holden-Steven-Gerrard-Saudi-Arabia-tragedy.html " target="_blank"><em>Daily Mail</em></a>: "My ideal destination is managing at the top level. And I do love an analogy! I had to work my way backwards so I thought going to Saudi Arabia would help that. In every situation, you need tools and because of that, my toolbox is getting bigger and bigger.</p><p>"Steven Gerrard sees the game differently, as his assistant I learned so much. He empowered me to be creative and come up with ideas, to challenge him. He’s a really generous guy and I am grateful for the opportunity – I felt like I got five years of experience from him in a year.</p><p>"In any other industry, you would pay for the experiences I had. If you were a doctor, you’d pay to go and observe the best brain surgeon in the world. And now in Turkey, it is mad, it’s a brilliant way to test myself. I live at the training ground. I am all in, I wake up and planning, train. I am there to professionalise it, ‘early is on time and on time is late!’</p><p>"As for the future, anything is possible. We have a blackboard in our kitchen: aim for the moon, land near the stars. If I don’t get to the top, I don’t, but I believe in my heart that I can manage at the highest level. It might sound egotistical but I believe in myself."</p>

WHAT DEAN HOLDEN SAID

<p>Gerrard has seen a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/steven-gerrard-shock-return-former-club-manager-absolutely-happen-liverpool-legend-tipped-rangers-great-go-back-in-saudi-pro-league-flop-al-ettifaq/blt6dad3793d50a8e79" target="_blank">return to Ibrox speculated on</a>, with Rangers currently working under interim boss Barry Ferguson, but various other landing spots have been mooted for a man that reached the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/rangers-return-liverpool-boss-future-steven-gerrard-coaching-struggles-aston-villa-saudi-pro-league/blt45241b5beeef7e33" target="_blank">very highest level as a Champions League winner in his playing days</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR STEVEN GERRARD?

'Steven Gerrard sees the game differently!' - Liverpool legend praised by ex-assistant for 'empowering' management style despite being sacked by Al-Ettifaq | Goal.com

Steven Gerrard may have flopped in his Saudi Pro League coaching post, but the Liverpool legend still &quot;sees the game differently&quot; to others.

&apos;Steven Gerrard sees the game differently!&apos; - Liverpool legend praised by ex-assistant for &apos;empowering&apos; management style despite being sacked by Al-Ettifaq

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