Steven Gerrard’s wife Alex Curran has pulled off a “tactical match” against rival WAGs by insisting they live in Bahrain while her famous husband runs a football club in Saudi Arabia. It is praised.
WAGs living in the conservative Islamic kingdom, where alcohol is banned, say they face cultural restrictions and abuse over their clothing, with some saying they flaunt their parts. Some people claim to have been refused entry to stores or shopping malls because of their arms, legs, and chest areas.
But these restrictions are irrelevant to Alex, 41, who friends say is living a “dream life” with Stephen, 43, and their four children in Manama, the capital of neighboring Bahrain. That’s what it means.
Bahrain, with a population of just over 1.4 million, is just an hour’s drive from Dammam, a city in eastern Saudi Arabia where Gerrard coaches Al Etifaq, the country’s biggest club.
Gerrard earns £15 million a year, making him the world’s fourth-highest-paid football coach, but he frequently commutes along the 15-mile road between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
He has been given a luxurious villa in Dammam by his club, and although he occasionally stays there, he tries to spend as much time as possible with Alex and the children, and is a popular hangout for expats in Bahrain. is regularly sighted.
Last September, he called a local radio station and shot down rumors that he was living permanently in Bahrain, saying he was going “back and forth” with Saudi Arabia while his family lived there permanently. Ta.
The couple married in 2007 and have three girls and a boy. Lily Ella, 19 years old. Lexi, 17 years old. Lourdes, 12 years old, Rio, 7 years old.
But despite the daily routine of family life, Alex still has time to pursue the luxurious WAG life he’s become accustomed to thanks to Bahrain’s luxury shopping malls, restaurants and bars, making Bahrain a party hub. It has gained a reputation of of the Gulf region.
Alex and his family live in a luxurious six-bedroom villa in the city’s Hamara district, close to Bahraini’s royal family and the country’s elite. It costs around £10,000 a month and has its own pool, tennis court and games room, set in grounds behind high gates.
Their three youngest children are enrolled at Bahrain’s most exclusive English language school, which ranks among the world’s top 100, and each costs around £11,000 a year.
As part of the deal, Gerrard and his family were also given free memberships to two of the country’s most exclusive health clubs, based at the luxurious Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton hotels.
Gerrard and his wife regularly visit The Ritz’s outdoor bar, near the private beach, where Premier League matches are shown on a giant screen.
Lawyer Mo Al Khalifa, who attends matches with Gerrard and his family and is a member of the Ritz Health Club, which pays around £5,000 a year, said: “Nobody cares about him because it’s not that kind of place.” Ta. We are used to seeing the rich and famous here.
“They are a lovely family. They come to watch football together, especially when Liverpool are playing, and you can see they really enjoy living in Bahrain.”
The Gerrards also make regular appearances at Bahrain Rugby Club. Bahrain Rugby Club is an expat-only hangout consisting of a pristine sports pitch and a large sports bar where former Liverpool legends can enjoy a beer and chat with locals.
“Gerrard comes here a lot,” said Daniel McRae, a Liverpool fan who was watching his team in a bar during a recent Premier League match. He likes beer and likes to socialize and talk about football, but you don’t get that in Saudi Arabia.
“And since this is a good place for women to live, perhaps his wife also wanted to live here.” Bahrain is more attractive when you walk around in shorts and a vest and no one bothers you. It will be. ”
One of Alex’s favorite destinations is the World Trade Center in Manama, home to more than 80 luxury fashion brands, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Versace.
Another location in the country where she was spotted strolling in the sun is The Avenue, a stylish waterfront shopping center with over 130 leading brands and over 60 restaurants and cafes.
Alex and Stephen were also spotted enjoying a meal at The Cut, an American steakhouse at the Four Seasons Hotel run by Michelin-starred chef Wolfgang Puck, with steaks costing up to ¥200. There are even pounds.
But for one WAG, Bahrain’s bohemian vibe and glitz weren’t enough. Rebecca Barnett, wife of former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, is one of the main reasons why he chose to abandon his £350,000-a-week contract with Al Etifaq and move to Ajax earlier this month. It is said that
According to reports, Rebecca and her two daughters never felt comfortable in Bahrain. The girls studied at the same school as the Gerrard children, and the family lived in a luxurious villa near the Gerrard family.
One woman who met Rebecca said, “Bahrain is a very nice place, but it feels like we’re in a bit of a bubble.” It’s like living in a very luxurious all-inclusive resort, so it can get a little boring. ”
But for many in Bahrain’s British expatriate community of around 4,000 people, Alex’s choice to stay and live in Bahrain rather than Saudi Arabia was a “no-brainer”.
Established in 1935, the British Club draws crowds of people every day to have a few drinks and a heavily subsidized club. Resembling a quaint British local shop, a pint sold at the bar costs around £4.50, compared to £13 in other parts of Manama.
Like Gerrard, Mike Jackson, 65, commutes from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia and recently retired.
As he poured himself a cup of tea, he said, “The reality for many expatriates in the region is that they are better off crossing the border to work in Saudi Arabia, but not living there.”
“I can understand why Gerrard would do something like this because I’ve been doing it for many years. Alex definitely feels safer in Bahrain and he feels like his life is much freer. Things are changing. But overall, Saudi Arabia remains a very conservative and religious society.”
She added: “I had no problem raising my daughter in Bahrain, but I wouldn’t have done it in Saudi Arabia. I’m sure Alex and Steven feel the same way.”
A Saudi law requiring all women, including foreigners, to cover their hair and wear an abaya was only repealed in 2019.
One woman who can relate to Alex’s desire to live in Bahrain rather than Saudi Arabia is Jackson’s partner Jackie McKinstry. She did the same thing 18 years ago when she took a job as a project manager in the country.
She said: “When Mike got a job in Saudi Arabia, I said I didn’t want to live there because I didn’t look good in black clothes.
“Bahrain is like a village. It’s very small, friendly and free. I can understand why Alex would want to be here with his family.”