'I've already got a job in Saudi football - I don't understand the Jordan Henderson outrage'

Robbie Fowler

I can see the usual horror has been provoked, now that some high profile figures in British football have become involved in the Saudi Pro League.

‌It is Jordan Henderson's supposed wageswhich has sparked the outrage, and as regular readers of this column will know, I’ve never quite understood why footballers' wages are such a sensitive topic, while the billions earned by financiers are never questioned

Let's get one thing clear though. I’m not going to condemn Jordan, Steven Gerrard or anyone else who has gone to work in Saudi Arabia, or is thinking of doing so

Not because I’m taking the money too - that’s simply not true. As I’ve explained before, I have taken a job in the league below the Saudi Pro League because I am ambitious to become a manager, because I want to prove myself.

I’ve not been been given that chance in the UK. You look at my record, and I’ve done well wherever I’ve been, despite inheriting teams who were struggling before I arrived.

This is my fourth head coach job now, and I back myself to succeed in this business.

I know people will laugh, but when I went to coach in Australia, I gave myself a five-year plan to manage in the Premier League.

Yeah, you can mock, but in half a season I took a side languishing at the bottom to the top places. Covid absolutely ruined it of course, but it shows the desire I have to succeed. It shows the ambition and belief I have... and you don’t fulfil your ambition by sitting in front of your TV watching everyone else get jobs while you don’t.

So I’ve gone out and backed myself. It’s obvious now no one is going to give me an opportunity at home...

I’ve applied for so many positions and not got anywhere. So I’ve found a project where the team can grow and my coaching can develop.

That happens to be in Saudi Arabia, and it is an exciting project. But it’s not about money, believe me.

My team Al-Qadsiah are currently in League One (second tier) and a long way from the top level.

I came to offer my experience, to build a team just as we did in Australia, in India, and Thailand. Each of the clubs we worked with, improved beyond all recognition.

That is what I’m taxed to do by the backers of the club, who want steady progress, not to throw money at it.

So we’ve signed Max Power from Wigan and Mbaye Daigne from Turkey, not the captain of Liverpool, or a host of internationals. It’s simply not about the cash. Though I take exception with people who are criticising Jordan Henderson or Steven Gerrard for that reason. I didn’t see anyone much calling our Cristiano Ronaldo last year for taking the cash.

Obviously I know Jordan well and I grew up with Stevie. I think Steven is like me - he wants to manage, he wants to prove himself, and after leaving Aston Villa, the right offer simply hasn’t come along. Now he has the backing of a big club, in a league that wants to grow, to become one of the better leagues in the world. It’s a great opportunity for a manager with ambition to get to the top.

We can all question why there’s that financial backing now, and yes, there has been money thrown at this big project. But has anyone questioned the Premier League for doing exactly the same thing? Not in England obviously, but I can tell you the rest of Europe has. They think the competition is unfair.