Liverpool legend sacked in Saudi Arabia - despite unbeaten start to league season

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Liverpool have a number of former players in the Middle East in some capacity, but one has just been dismissed

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 03: (L-R) John Arne Riise, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and Jamie Carragher of Liverpool show their dissapointment at the final whistle during the Barclays Premiership match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on February 3, 2007 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has been sacked as manager of Saudi Arabian second-tier side Al-Qadsiah. 

Despite an unbeaten start to the league season, in which Al-Qadsiah have won six games and drawn two, club officials dismissed Fowler on Friday morning, replacing him with former Real Madrid and Spain forward Michel.

Announcing the news on social media, the club thanked the former Liverpool striker for his commitment to the team since been appointed in June 2023, without giving any specific details as to the reason for his departure. 

Former footballer Robbie Fowler in media interview prior to the MCB Tour Championship - Seychelles at Constance Lemuria on November 29, 2022 in Praslin Island, Seychelles. (Photo by Phil Inglis/Getty Images)

Fowler has been sacked as manager  (Image credit: Getty Images)

Al-Qadsiah finished 11th in Saudi Arabia's second tier last season, too, 23 points adrift of the top four promotion spots to the Saudi Pro League.

Fowler's only defeat in charge of Al-Qadsiah came in the King's Cup against Saudi Pro League side Al-Taawoun, a game they weren't expected to win anyway.

Wednesday night's victory over Al-Kholood proved Fowler's last game in charge, with the 48-year-old leaving with the club sat second in the table, just a point off of Al-Orobah. 

Steven Gerrard looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on 21 January, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Gerrard is still managing Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia (Image credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Since retiring from professional football in 2012, Fowler has managed in Thailand for Muangthong United, in Australia with Brisbane Roar and at East Bengal in India. Over the course of his managerial career he has taken charge of 66 games, winning 24, drawing 19 and losing 23.

He had hoped to lead Al-Qadsiah to the Saudi Pro League next season, where he would've faced former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard in the opposite dugout, who is currently the boss of Al-Ettifaq. 

Gerrard is struggling at Al-Ettifaq somewhat, though, with his side only seventh in the league. Though they brought in Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Moussa Dembele over the summer, sides containing stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez are all performing better right now.

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Ryan Dabbs
Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.