Ex-Sunderland boss Beale joins Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq

Former Sunderland head coach Michael Beale has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq as Steven Gerrard’s assistant manager.

The 44-year-old worked under Gerrard at Rangers between 2018 and 2021 and was part of the coaching team that guided them to the Scottish Premiership title in the 2020-21 season.

Beale followed Gerrard to Aston Villa in November 2021 before becoming QPR head coach at the start of the 2022-23 campaign.

With QPR seventh in the Championship at the end of November 2022, Beale then left to return to Rangers as manager.

He was sacked in October 2023 after failing to win a trophy and suffering three defeats in the first seven matches of the 2023-24 season.

Beale was appointed by Sunderland in December 2023 but only had a brief stint in charge and was sacked after just 12 games in February having won four, drawn two and lost six.