29 January 2024 , 11:10
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Steven Gerrard may be loving life in Saudi Arabia enough to commit to staying there for three more years - but it seems his wife Alex has little interest in spending time in the Gulf nation.
Gerrard joined Saudi Pro League Al Ettifaq in July 2023 but has already enjoyed his time enough to extend his contract just months into the job. While Jordan Henderson has already departed for Ajax, Gerrard has signed up to his coaching role until 2027.
And after moving to the Middle East with wife Alex and children Lilly Ella, 19; Lexie, 17; Lourdes, 12 and Lio, 7; it seems that the couple, who married in 2007, have been able to find the sweet spot for their personal and professional lives.
The former Liverpool captain earns in the region of £15million per year and has been provided with a luxury villa in Damman by his employers. However, Gerrard splits his time there with a base in Bahrain where he completes a commute along a 15-mile causeway between the countries.
In September, Gerrard was forced to put an end to rumours he was permanently based in Bahrain, and phoned into a local radio station to clarify his time is split while Alex and his family are based over the border. Gerrard's wife and family live in a luxury villa in Hamala, within the vicinity of Bahrain's elite including members of their royal family.
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The £10,000-a-month home has it's own swimming pool and games room, while Gerrard's youngest children have been enrolled in an English language school which sits within the world's top 100. Fees there come close to £11,000 per child.
The family are said to be regular vistor's to the Ritz's open-air bar, where Premier League football is shown. Lawyer Mo Al Khalifa, a fellow Ritz health club member, told Mail Online that the Gerrard's are enjoying their life in Bahrain.
Gerrard has struggled to get Al-Ettifaq firing on the pitch (FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)He said: "Nobody bothers him because it’s not that kind of place. We are used to seeing rich and famous people here. They’re a lovely family, they come together to watch the football, especially if Liverpool are playing and you can tell that they are really enjoying life in Bahrain."
Gerrard and his family also enjoy time at Bahrain Rugby club, where they are able to enjoy alcohol alongside expats. Liverpool fan Daniel McRae told Mail Online: "Gerrard comes here quite a lot. He likes a beer, he likes to socialise and have a chat about football, and you won’t get that in Saudi Arabia.
"And it’s easier for women to live here, which is why his wife probably wanted to be here. You can go around in shorts or a vest and nobody will bother you, so that makes Bahrain more attractive."
The outlet report that Alex's favourite destinations include Manama's World Trade Centre, which holds fashion labels such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, and the Avenues, a waterfront shopping centre. Bahrain offers a less conservative lifestyle than Saudi Arabia for a number of expats, with commuting not an uncommon endeavour between the nations.
Gerrard will now be hoping he can find similar joy on the field, given Al-Ettifaq haven't won a match since October.