Steven Gerrard now after wife Alex shunned Saudi for ‘dream life’ in £10k-a-month mansion

Steven Gerrard’s time in Saudi Arabia came to an end 12 months ago after he left Al Ettifaq by mutual consent, bringing a close to his time in the Middle East with wife Alex

Steven Gerrard’s wife Alex chose to live her ‘dream life’ in Bahrain while the Liverpool icon worked in Saudi Arabia during his spell in charge in the Middle East. The former Reds captain stunned the world of football when he accepted the managerial position at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq back in July 2023.

The move came with an eye-watering £15.2million-a-year salary, placing him as the fourth best-paid manager in the world, trailing only Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone at the time. His tenure ended in January 2025 when Gerrard reportedly waived a further £10m from the remaining portion of his deal by leaving through mutual agreement.

Yet, before that, the 45-year-old reached a compromise with his wife to let her and their four children live in neighbouring gulf country Bahrain, while Gerrard regularly commuted between there and Saudi.

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Reports claimed Saudi Arabia’s conservative culture presented difficulties for some footballers’ partners due to restrictions surrounding alcohol consumption and clothing rules. Alex, whom he married in 2007, reportedly had no desire to spend extended periods in Saudi and the couple managed to strike a balance that suited both their personal and career needs.

The family were therefore based in Manama, Bahrain’s capital, which is just an hour’s drive from Dammam in eastern Saudi Arabia, where Gerrard managed Al-Ettifaq. This proximity allowed the Reds hero to frequently commute to his job along a 15-mile causeway connecting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, despite being given a luxury villa in Damman by his club.

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In September 2024, Gerrard put an end to rumours he was permanently based in Bahrain and phoned into a local radio station to clarify his time was split, while Alex and his family were based over the border. Gerrard’s wife and family lived in a £10,000-per-month six-bedroom villa in the Hamala area of the city.

The residence boasted its own swimming pool, tennis courts and games room, and was situated in an exclusive gated community among Bahrain’s elite, including members of its Royal family. The Mail quoted Alex’s friends as saying she was living her “dream life” in Manama.

Since leaving Saudi Arabia, Gerrard has frequently appeared as a pundit for TNT Sports in recent months. He made a comment towards the end of last year that would excite any Liverpool supporter, telling Ally McCoist on TNT Sports’ Ally’s Social Club that he would welcome the opportunity to return to Liverpool in any capacity.

His comments suggested he’d readily work for or alongside Arne Slot, perhaps even taking the reins at Anfield himself in the future. The 2005 Champions League winner said in December: “I’ll be brutally, brutally honest with you: I’d help Liverpool in any department at any minute of every day. I’d help them with anything. I don’t want the Liverpool manager to lose his job, I want Arne Slot to fix this and turn it around and make Liverpool great.

“I was bouncing all over the city four, five months ago when Liverpool won the league. I’m a Liverpool fan, I want the best for Liverpool. But if Liverpool need me, in any department at any time, I’ll be there for them.”

Gerrard’s last official position at Liverpool saw him coach the U18s for 18 months, starting in January 2017 through to summer 2018. Since then, he’s appeared for the club in Legends charity matches while also representing the Reds in a commercial role, including as part of last year’s Christmas advertising.

However, Gerrard also admits he’s not actively pursuing a return to the dugout just yet, only considering it should the “right project come up”. The former Reds skipper threw himself into coaching at Liverpool as soon as he retired in November 2016, with senior positions at Rangers, Aston Villa and Saudi following. He appears happy to bide his time and keep his options open until the next opportunity arises, given that his family are settled.

Gerrard continued: “If that right opportunity, or that feeling that I got when I first bounced into Rangers, doesn’t come then I’m fine. I’m not searching for a job, I’m not down the Job Centre for what’s available. I’m not hoping ‘that one might come available’.

“My life’s great, my family life’s great, I’m enjoying doing [media work], I’ve got a lot going on. My life’s good, I’m fine. If the right football project comes up, the hunger’s back, it’s there.”

The Liverpool icon also had reason to celebrate in the middle of last year as he became a grandfather after his daughter Lilly and partner Lee Byrne welcomed their first child into the world.