Steven Gerrard has left Al-Ettifaq after less than two years in charge (Image: Getty)
faces an eye-watering tax bill if he returns to the UK before April this year.
The legend has left his role as manager of side Al-Ettifaq by mutual consent. Reports indicate that Gerrard asked to leave for personal reasons, and his assistant Michael Beale will depart with him.
That decision could hit Gerrard’s wallet hard. require those working abroad to remain out of the country for a full tax year in order to avoid a bill totalling 45% of their earnings once they return.
Tax years run from April to April each year. Gerrard was appointed by Al-Ettifaq in July 2023, meaning he was three months shy of completing the 2023/24 tax year once April 2024 rolled around.
The current tax year will run until April, meaning Gerrard has once again fallen three months short. Under those rules, Gerrard will be forced to pay a staggering 45% of his Saudi earnings in tax if he returns to the UK immediately.
Based on his reported , Gerrard has pocketed in the region of £21.9m since taking charge of Al-Ettifaq. Taking a 45% hit on that total would land the 44-year-old with an eye-watering £10m tax bill.
Steven Gerrard has also managed Rangers and Aston Villa (Image: Getty)
Gerrard failed to make the desired impact in the Middle East, securing only 12 victories in 34 league games last season as Al-Ettifaq finished sixth in the Saudi Pro League with exactly half the points total of runaway champions Al-Hilal.
This campaign, they slid backwards in dramatic fashion. Gerrard leaves the club 12th in the table and only five points above the relegation zone, with a negative goal difference and only five wins from their 17 league games.
That’s despite Al-Ettifaq forking out a fortune on wages for recognised European stars such as Moussa Dembele, Demarai Gray and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Gerrard did not shy away from criticising the squad, and he said after Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Al-Wehda: “I am not satisfied with the players’ performance and level. I see the draw as losing two important points.
“I take responsibility for the result of the match, including missed opportunities and the drop in performance. The management of Ettifaq club has provided everything the team needs in terms of support and transfers. Injuries and the absence of key players have negatively affected performance.”