Iraola promises to deliver a club Liverpool fans can ‘be proud of’ as new Reds boss takes up job on Merseyside
Andoni Iraola has promised to give Liverpool fans “a team they can be proud of” after insisting he is ready for the challenge of managing one of the biggest clubs in world football.
The 44-year-old was unveiled as the Reds’ new manager after signing a two-year deal last month, replacing Arne Slot following the Dutchman’s sacking at the end of May.
Speaking in his first press conference since his arrival at Anfield, Iraola made it clear that reuniting with the fans is one of the most important things for him after a campaign where fans were fed up with the team’s lack of energy.
“I think football and especially Liverpool is about communication – communication with people, communication with our fans,” he said.
“I went to the other side when I was at Anfield. [Liverpool’s winner v Bournemouth].
“You can feel the stadium and I would like to have this every time we play – but that has to come from us, inside the stadium.
“We have to be a team that works hard – strong, aggressive, and vertical – so that everyone can see and everyone feels comfortable supporting this team.”
Iraola arrives to manage ‘Big 6’ club
Iraola arrives at Liverpool after successful spells with AEK Larnaca, Mirandes, Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth, where he stayed for three years before moving to Merseyside.
Despite stepping into one of the most high-profile roles in football, the Spaniard believes he is ready for the scrutiny that comes with it.
“I’m ready for it. I understand that this is a big team,” he said.
“Everything I say now will be carefully considered. You have to be very careful about mistakes but I don’t like to be too careful. I like to act normally.
“I will not stay at the place where I practice or at home, I would also like to go to the city, to experience the city, I know other places where I would like to take pictures.
“It’s part of the magic of being a Liverpool manager and I’d like not to change too much.”
Iraola’s two-year contract raised eyebrows given the lengthy deals often offered to top managers, but the former Bournemouth boss said it was in line with his philosophy.
“Regarding training contracts – they are not that important,” he explained.
“I don’t want to be in the area because I have a contract, I signed for two years, but it starts every year if you are a coach.
“I hope that I will stay here for more than two years, it will mean that I have done a very good job. I think that managers should get the right to continue every year, especially in teams like Liverpool. I have always done it this way.”
Work to be done in the transfer market
Liverpool have already added Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet to their squad, with the latter’s move agreed in January, but Iraola admitted more arrivals are needed before the new season begins.
“Obviously we have signed two players but we need more players, we know this. The team is fixing this,” he said.
“Selfishly, I want the players here from the first day, they are ready for pre-season training, but I understand that football doesn’t work like this.
Most of Liverpool’s squad return to pre-season this week, although players from the World Cup squad will join later in the summer.
Only Alexis Mac Allister and new player Munoz are still involved in the tournament against Argentina and Spain respectively.
Iraola also confirmed that Harvey Elliott will be given the chance to impress in pre-season after a disappointing loan spell at Aston Villa last season.
The 23-year-old managed just 110 minutes of Premier League football during his short stay at Villa Park, despite a clause that could have made the move permanent if he played 10 league games.
“Last season must have been difficult for Harvey. It was a strange situation, and I think he is using this experience – a bad situation – to make himself even more eager to be a Liverpool player,” said Iraola.
