Andoni Iraola speaks in his first interview on becoming Liverpool’s new head coach, replacing Arne Slot who was sacked after two seasons in charge.
The 43 year old, who has signed on a two-year deal, guided Bournemouth to Europa League qualification with a 37% win rate, with Liverpool impressed by what he has done.
The hope is to improve on Liverpool’s dismal 5th place finish with his high pressing, being ultra direct, with more risk on the ball.
“Really excited, really excited,” he said to Liverpoolfc.com. “Because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it’s a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world.
“But feeling inside and understanding a little bit more of this club, I always thought it’s a special club.
“You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool.
“But obviously the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles. I think it cannot be more attractive than this. It’s difficult to find it. So, really excited to start.”
In his first interview, he said to Liverpoolfc.com: “Really excited, really excited, because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it’s a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world. But feeling inside and understanding a little bit more of this club, I always thought it’s a special club. Not about the football side, also because what people think about even during the week, how they are passionate about the club and everyone, the ones who like football, the ones that probably are not as interested. But I have some experience with Athletic Club [as a player] that I could in some ways familiarise, but it’s going to be fun to experience it from the inside.”
On being attracted to people in the city’s obsession with Liverpool Football Club: “Yes, it matters a lot to everyone. Football at the end is about emotion. I understand it’s also a privilege but also a big responsibility, because all those people want to be represented properly and we are here for this. I would love from my side, from the players’ side, so all those people, [to] identify also with the football, identify with the values of the squad and we are all in for this.”
A message to our supporters from the new Reds head coach ❤️ pic.twitter.com/n1eOrKm5YZ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 4, 2026
On what attracted him regarding the footballing side of the club: “I think you don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool. But obviously the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles. I think it cannot be more attractive than this. It’s difficult to find it. So, really excited to start, yes.”
On the conversations he’s had with Richard Hughes on the position: “Obviously it helps a lot when on the other side of the table there is someone who you have already worked with. We were one year together [at Bournemouth]. But in this case, I would say it’s about the club, it’s about Liverpool – it’s what really attracted me. I think now I am looking forward to getting all the information. I’m talking to everyone so I can understand better the club, everything that happens outside the pitch. We still have time, we still have one month until we really start working with the players, but I would like to use this month also properly to arrive here in the proper way.”
On the timing and putting a plan of action together: “Yes, at the end everything has happened very quickly really. We just finished the season and it’s when we really started thinking, ‘OK, what’s going to be the next step?’ And now that we know what’s happening, I want to get ready. Also the World Cup being there, we will have a chance to work especially with some of the young players. Because a lot of senior players being out and arriving later because of the World Cup, I think it gives us the chance to know better the players from the Academy, some of the players that have been on loan. They will be an important part of the first part of pre-season, the American tour. And I think in that way it works very well for us because it will give us a lot of information before we really take decisions before we start the season.”
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On it being an advantage for the younger players, with the chance to integrate that identity with them, despite the senior players still at the World Cup: “Yes, I think it’s important in both ways. The senior players that have played in the World Cup, they’ve been feeling the pressure, they’ve been playing for their countries, I think they need and deserve a rest. And also this allows us to give also important minutes to train more closely with the young players that probably we don’t know as well. Because we’ve been here already three seasons, playing a lot of times against Liverpool, and there are players that we already know. But there are other players probably that haven’t had the minutes, have played for the development squad, have been on loan somewhere, and I think those trainings, those minutes will be very valuable for us to take decisions.”
On what his style is: “I think I have the advantage that I’ve been here already three years in the Premier League and people for sure have seen Bournemouth play. There are some things that obviously we need to change coaching Liverpool. But I wouldn’t like to lose our identity, the intensity, the aggressiveness, the organisation, certain things that I would like always to have in my team. Obviously you have to adapt to the players you have and it’s not the same, one club or the other, but there are fundamentals that I also think match quite well [with] what Liverpool has been during a lot of years that I think we can make it work.”
On what if will feel like to walk out the tunnel at Anfield as Liverpool head coach: “I’ve been the other side – I still remember the goal [Federico] Chiesa scored at the end of the first game of the season! We were there with 2-2 thinking that probably we could take something. He scored and the place erupted. It was crazy, no? I want now to feel this from the other side. 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.”
On being Liverpool head coach and celebrating a goal: “For me, football is about emotions. About passion. I’m quite cool-headed probably, during my life quite rational, I would say. But it’s true that when the game starts, when you have to celebrate a goal, something is inside, no? I think this inner energy, you need it as a player, you need it as a supporter, you need it as a coach. No better place than Anfield.”
On his ambitions: “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.”
A message to the fans: “I cannot ask them for a lot. I know how they are. I can only say that I want to become one more of you. I want to earn the right to be one of you, so we can enjoy all together.”
On how big a day is it for him, him family and his roots in football: “I think it’s a day that is not only for me. You are what has been your life, what have been your influences. I’m coming from a very small town, working-class, outside of San Sebastian. I’ve had my journey to become a football player. I’ve had my journey starting in Cyprus, going through the divisions, promotion, arriving in La Liga, then the Premier League. Now you arrive here and a lot of people have helped you during this process. And every time now I receive a message, I think you have to remember all those people that have helped you, that have influenced you. I’m now motivated to show all these people, ‘OK, we’ve made it together and now let’s enjoy it also.'”
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