“One of the best managers in the Premier League” is open to joining Liverpool
Liverpool director Richard Hughes is a big fan of Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, who is open to replacing Arne Slot this summer.
The Reds saw their last chance of silverware of the season evaporate at Anfield on Tuesday evening, as two goals from Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele sealed PSG’s place in the Champions League semi-finals.
To make matters worse for Liverpool, striker Hugo Ekitike appears to have suffered an Achilles injury, with Slot confirming the Frenchman’s condition “looks really bad”.
The manager however felt his side improved on the night when they produced 2.17 expected goals (xG) but failed to convert.
“I think we made a lot of progress compared to last week. I have to thank the players for the way they worked so hard.
“I have to thank our fans a lot, how they helped us tonight to make our game plan.
“The sad thing is that it is one of the many examples this season where we could not score a goal in the many opportunities we had.
“Also, we weren’t doing very well in terms of xG (expected goals), and that’s something that’s been going on for us all season.”
And while Fabrizio Romano has confirmed any talks about Slot’s future won’t come until the end of the season, the Dutchman is still under a lot of pressure to deliver a top-five finish, and that may not be enough to save his career.
Andoni Iraola is open to a move to Liverpool
Indeed, Bournemouth manager Iraola has told the Cherries he will leave the club at the end of the season, and Football FanCast sources understand he is Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes’ top target if Slot is sacked.
The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for former midfielder Xabi Alonso since leaving as Real Madrid manager, but FSG have always had their own way of doing things, and have been impressed by Iraola’s consistency and philosophy at the Vitality Stadium despite losing several key players in the summer transfer window.
Worse than Mac Allister: IFSG must sell Liverpool star who “moves like a rhino”
Liverpool’s top stars have been happy to cheat all season, and this is more than most.
The 43-year-old wants to stay in the Premier League, meaning a move to a big club like Liverpool or Manchester United, both of whom could be looking for a new manager this summer.
Andoni Iraola tactics and formation
The manager of Bournemouth, who Romano recently called “one of the best managers in the Premier League”, usually uses a 4-2-3-1 which becomes a 4-1-4-1 in charge, with just one substitute player.
Bournemouth’s style of play (via WhoScored)
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Take long shots
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Attack down to the left
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Effort is often exceeded
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Take more shots
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He is angry
The Cherries like to build quickly at the back, using long runs past defenders such as Marcos Senesi, which would be music to the ears of Virgil van Dijk, who is known for his ability to pin the ball away from Liverpool defenders.
Another weakness Liverpool fans may not want to hear is that the South Coast club have been poor at defending set pieces this season, but it seems the former Rayo Vallecano manager has all the makings of a top-class manager.
