Andoni Iraola has told Liverpool supporters he wants to give them “a team they can be proud of”, as the club also confirmed Jeremy Jacquet’s shirt number, with the defender taking over a famous shirt from a departed compatriot.
The 44-year-old signed a two-year deal with Liverpool last month after three successful seasons at Bournemouth, where he led the club to their first European qualification. Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League last season, one place above Bournemouth, and Arne Slot was sacked on 30 May.
“Andoni Iraola says he wants to give Liverpool fans a team to be proud of, as Jeremy Jacquet takes over a famous shirt.”
At his first press conference since being appointed, Iraola acknowledged the need to connect with fans to receive vociferous support. “I think football and especially Liverpool is about connecting – connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters,” he said. “I’ve been on the other side of it at Anfield. I’ve experienced the goal that [Federico] Chiesa scored on the first day of last season [Liverpool’s winner v Bournemouth]. You can feel the stadium and I would love to have this every time we play – but that has to come from us, from inside the pitch.”
The Spaniard outlined his style: “We have to be a team that works hard – is intense, aggressive, and vertical – so everyone can identify and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team.”
Iraola, who has managed AEK Larnaca, Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano before Bournemouth, said he is ready for the scrutiny that comes with one of the world’s biggest clubs. “Everything I say now is going get the biggest scrutiny. You have to be very aware of the mistakes but I wouldn’t like to be too careful. I would like to act quite normal,” he said. He also expressed a desire to experience the city: “I’m not going live in my bubble – just at the training ground and home. I would like also to go to the city, experience the city. I know some places I would like to take some pictures of. It’s part of the magic of being the Liverpool manager and I would like not to change too much.”
His contract is for two years, a short deal by top-level standards, but Iraola played down its length. “In terms of coaching contracts – they don’t matter a lot,” he said. “I don’t want to be in a place because I have a contract. I signed for two years but it’s basically year to year when you are a coach.”
