Andoni Iraola did not bring to Liverpool flashy statements or promises of titles. In a conversation in Chicago, the Spanish coach shared the philosophy that shaped his coaching career.
According to Iraola, the success of Basque coaches and Spanish football in recent years does not come from owning the best individuals, but from the ability to build a united team. He cited Spain continuously achieving success in team sports such as football, basketball or handball, while rarely dominating individual sports.
We always put the team first. Rodri is not the one who scores many goals or assists, but Spain won the World Cup and he was voted the Best Player of the Tournament. That is the value we were nurtured" - Iraola said.
That philosophy will also be the foundation for him to rebuild Liverpool after a season full of upheaval under Arne Slot. According to the 44-year-old strategist, he does not want to change the personality of each player, but wants everyone to aim for the common interests of the team.
I cannot change the people of the players. But in football, everyone wants to be on the field, wants to have beautiful statistics and play as much as possible. The important thing is to understand that sometimes that doesn't happen and you still have to support teammates" - he shared.
Iraola also emphasized that fans do not only come to the stadium to witness beautiful goals. What makes them most sympathetic is the fighting spirit, determination and unwavering effort of the players.
Fans may not be able to shoot like players, but they understand what it is like to run tirelessly, compete fiercely or fight to the last minute. When they see that, they will always stand behind the team" - Iraola said.
Although Liverpool had been pursuing him since 2014 when he played for Athletic Bilbao, Iraola admitted that he never intended to leave his hometown club at that time. Only after ending his successful journey with Bournemouth did he be ready to accept the challenge at Anfield.
The Spanish captain said that Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao have many similarities in identity, community solidarity and respect for players who grew up from the academy.
Even when Liverpool fans composed his own song just a few days after taking office, Iraola remained humble. He affirmed that coaches are only supporting people, and players are the decisive factor in the team's success or failure.
I always say that we are only here to help the players. They are the main characters. The team's success depends on them, not the coaches" - Iraola emphasized.
That is also the message that Iraola wants to convey in his new journey at Anfield. A successful Liverpool will not be built around individual stars, but based on the strength of the whole team.
