Ex-Liverpool coach rejoins Steven Gerrard staff after 9 weeks in managerial job – Liverpool FC

Former Liverpool manager Michael Beale has been reunited with Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq, taking up his former role after an interrupted managerial career.

Beale supported Gerrard in his role as assistant at both Rangers and then Aston Villa before leaving to take over as manager of QPR in 2022.

After rejecting an approach from Wolves and insisting loyalty was “a really big thing for me”, Beale then left QPR to become Rangers manager after just six months in charge.

He was sacked within 11 months and then took the Sunderland job, only to be relieved of his duties after nine weeks.

Beale has been out of high-profile work since February, but on Wednesday it was confirmed that he will rejoin Gerrard’s staff in a role at Al-Ettifaq.

The 44-year-old has been appointed assistant coach of the Saudi Arabian Pro League club, effectively resuming the duties he held under Gerrard at Rangers and Villa.

Al-Ettifaq are currently 12th in the 18-team league, with their squad including Gini Wijnaldum, Demarai Gray and Moussa Dembele.

Gerrard has faced calls for the sack in recent months and is currently on a run of seven league games without a win as he leaves the King Cup of Champions for second-tier side Al-Jabalain.

But the appointment of Beale suggests the legendary Liverpool midfielder’s job is not under threat, with Al-Ettifaq moving to bolster its staff.

Beale was widely credited as the brains of the coaching operation during Gerrard’s successful spell at Rangers and early on at Villa, with it clear that theirs is a partnership that suits them.

The backroom staff at Al-Ettifaq also includes a number of other former Liverpool managers, most prominently former goalkeeper manager John Achterberg.

Jonathan Robinson is first team assistant coach, Ray Shearwood is senior first team analyst, Jordan Milsom is performance manager and Tom Culshaw is technical coach.

Andy Firth, who played under Gerrard in the Liverpool academy, is the goalkeeping coach.

Beale worked in Liverpool’s academy for nine years – interrupted by a brief spell at Brazilian club Sao Paulo – before following Gerrard to Rangers.