Andoni Iraola says he understands “what is expected” but is ready for the challenge ahead after Liverpool confirmed him as their new head coach on a two-year contract. The 43-year-old replaces Arne Slot, who was sacked on Saturday – a year after guiding the club to the Premier League title.
Iraola joins after delivering Bournemouth’s finest top-flight season to date, finishing in sixth place – only one position and three points behind Liverpool – and securing a place in next season’s Europa League. He announced in April that he would leave Bournemouth this summer and had been linked with Crystal Palace and AC Milan before moving to Merseyside.
“Andoni Iraola appointed Liverpool head coach on two-year deal, replacing sacked Arne Slot.”
Liverpool have qualified for next season’s Champions League despite finishing the Premier League campaign with 60 points – their lowest tally since 2015-16 and a distant 25 points behind champions Arsenal.
“Really excited, really excited,” said Iraola. “Because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it’s a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world. You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool.”
He added: “I think Liverpool gives me the chance to coach top players, and top players give you the chance to fight for titles. To win titles. Obviously when you arrive at a place, you cannot promise everything. You cannot promise. But it’s true that I understand where I’m coming and what is expected. I’m ready for the challenge.”
Iraola recalled Anfield’s roar when Federico Chiesa scored a late winner against his Bournemouth side last August. “He scored and the place erupted. It was crazy, no? I want now to feel this from the other side,” he said. “At the beginning when you arrive at any club, I think you need to kind of prove a little bit yourself. You need to earn the right also to belong. I want to do this as quickly as possible so I can also celebrate with them and I can be part properly of those celebrations.”
He is understood to be keen to add Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, his assistants with the Cherries, to his coaching staff. The decision to sack Slot was made by Michael Edwards, Fenway Sports Group’s chief executive of football, and Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes. Together, they decided the club required a more front-foot, aggressive and urgent style of play.