Steven Gerrard’s return to Liverpool after his wife shunned living in Saudi Arabia

The Liverpool icon was forced to come to an arrangement with his family during his last stint in management

Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard will return to Anfield this weekend to take part in a legends clash against Borussia Dortmund. The Champions League-winning star called time on the game in 2016 after a stint with LA Galaxy before venturing into management.

The 45-year-old enjoyed a successful spell at the helm of Rangers before a short, torrid time in charge of Aston Villa. Gerrard then stunned the world of football by accepting the managerial position at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq in July 2023.

The position brought a major change to the Gerrard clan. The former England star reportedly reached a compromise with his partner, Alex, to allow her and their four children to live in a neighbouring Gulf country, with Gerrard subsequently commuting between the two regions.

FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

Alex, whom he married in 2007, reportedly had no desire to spend extended periods in Saudi Arabia. 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 worked.

The proximity allowed Gerrard to drive along a 15-mile causeway connecting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, despite being given a luxury villa in Dammam by his club.

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah’s private feelings after Liverpool exit bombshell droppedREAD MORE: Liverpool’s scary front three next season with Mo Salah funds spent on two signings

Gerrard himself addressed claims he was permanently based in Bahrain after phoning into a local radio station. He clarified that his time was split between Bahrain and across the border, where Alex and his family were based.

Gerrard’s wife and children 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.

Gerrard’s Saudi Arabian adventure came with a staggering £15.2 million-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. However, Gerrard reportedly waived a further £10m from the remaining portion of his deal by leaving on mutual terms. Since then, he has frequently appeared as a pundit on TNT Sports.

With his former club struggling under Arne Slot, with some fans even calling for him to step in to steady the ship, Gerrard made a comment towards the end of last year that would excite many Liverpool fans.

The former Reds captain told Ally McCoist on TNT Sports that he would welcome the opportunity to return to Liverpool in any capacity.

“I’ll be brutally, brutally honest with you: I’d help Liverpool in any department at any minute of every day,” he said. “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.

“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’”.

He clarified: “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.”

Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.