Basque coach Andoni Iraola has officially been announced by the club as the next coach for Liverpool men leading into the 2026-2027 season. It’s not a really surprising appointment as the process of replacing Arne Slot was fairly well publicized over the past week or so, and is even somewhat a sigh of relief as we can now head into the summer window knowing who will be leading the squad and helping bed in new signings.
Iraola himself presented reverence and confidence in the announcement videos, telling the club in his first interview that he understands where he’s coming and what is expected of him.
“I’ve been the other side – I still remember the goal [Federico] Chiesa scored at the end of the first game of the season!” Iraola said.
“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.”
Iraola faced Liverpool seven times during his three year tenure at Bournemouth so he is certainly familiar with the culture from an outside and opposition perspective, and understandably points out that he will still need to prove himself, regardless of our excitement at his appointment.
“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,” the coach explained.
“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.”
Liverpool is nothing without the emotion and passion that has been a foundational force and guiding light throughout the club’s existence, so hearing a coach understand that from the get go is certainly reassuring. It is honestly the bare minimum for the head coach who will now be part of Shankly’s holy trinity. And of course, no one joins Liverpool, the most successful club in English football, without 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,” Iraola added.
“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 led Bournemouth to only three points behind the Reds in sixth place this past season, ending with an unbeaten run of 18 matches, and secured a spot in the Europa League for the Cherries, no doubt a feat that impressed everyone at FSG. Statistically, Liverpool are also already set up to benefit from the Basque trainer’s ideas, being the only other team ahead of Bournemouth in terms of shots from fast breaks and scoring from turnovers.
Fans can watch the first part of Iraola’s interview in full for free at the club’s AllRed video platform.
