brendan Rodgers tasked with breaking Saudi Arabia’s Big Four as he joins al-Qadsiah
The path from Liverpool to the east of Saudi Arabia is becoming increasingly well-worn,but Brendan Rodgers has a bigger job on his hands than Robbie Fowler,Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson. On Tuesday, the 52-year-old was confirmed as the new head coach of Al-Qadsiah, with the target in his new job simple: to turn the Big Four in Saudi Arabia into the Big Five.
If he had concerns about the lack of investment at Celtic, the club he left in October, then that shouldn’t be an issue at the Khobar-based Al-Qadsiah. In July,they splashed out a reported €65m (£57.15m) on the Italy striker Mateo Retegui. Few clubs around the world have an owner with pockets – or oil wells – as deep as those that belong to Aramco. The state-owned oil enterprise usually makes the top 10 lists of the world’s biggest companies.
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It all means the Eastern Knights, who have never been champions, are one of the few clubs in the world that can compete with the giants from Riyadh and jeddah. In the summer of 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) took over Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, bringing big stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar, along with international headlines. Al-Qadsiah want some of that as the club’s chief executive, James Bisgrove, formerly of Rangers, said in a statement welcoming the new head coach: “this is a landmark moment for the club. The calibre of his experience and track record of winning reflects our ambition and long-term vision to establish Al-Qadsiah as one of Asia’s leading clubs.”
Their Spanish manager of two years, Míchel, was no longer seen as the man to deliver the big prizes. The timing is a little strange, however. Due to the Fifa Arab Cup, the team have not played a league game since 21 No
Challenges Await Rodgers as Saudi Arabian Football tests Western Managers
The appointment of Brendan Rodgers as the new manager of a Saudi Pro League club highlights the ongoing trend of Western football figures taking on roles in the rapidly developing Saudi football landscape. However, the experiences of previous managers suggest a challenging path ahead, fraught with pressure and unique difficulties.
Recent history demonstrates that financial investment doesn’t guarantee success in Saudi Arabia,and that even high-profile managers face a precarious position. Former striker Robbie Fowler, appointed by Al-Qadsiah in 2023 with the aim of securing promotion, lasted only eight games despite maintaining an undefeated record. “I was very, very disappointed as my record was unbelievable,” he stated, expressing confidence that his team would have remained undefeated for the entire season.
Similarly, Steven Gerrard’s tenure at Al-Ettifaq, located in Damman, failed to yield the desired results. He was dismissed in January, after 18 months, with the team positioned in the lower half of the league. In contrast, Al-qadsiah enjoyed a prosperous season, finishing fourth thanks to the prolific goalscoring partnership of Quiñones and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who combined for 37 league goals. however, even this achievement fell short of breaking into the conventional “Big Four,” as Al-Ahli finished fifth but secured the Asian Football Confederation’s Champions League title. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/11/steven-gerrard-sacked-al-ettifaq-saudi-arabia
Jordan Henderson’s experience was especially complex. The former Liverpool captain, known for his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion in football – including support for rainbow laces campaigns – faced criticism for his decision to play in saudi Arabia, where same-sex marriage remains illegal. He, along with Gerrard, was also pressured to address concerns regarding saudi Arabia’s human rights record.https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66444999
Rodgers will undoubtedly face scrutiny and a demanding expectation to deliver trophies. The pattern established by his predecessors suggests that failure to do so could lead to a swift departure. The Saudi Pro League presents a unique set of challenges, where considerable investment and high-profile signings are not always sufficient for success, and off-field issues can add further complexity to the managerial role.
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