At his debut as Liverpool head coach, Andoni Iraola impressed not with eloquent statements, but with humility. The 44-year-old strategist affirmed that he would not change himself just to lead one of the biggest clubs in the world, and described becoming Liverpool coach as "a miracle".
Appointed only 6 days after Arne Slot left the hot seat, Iraola admitted that he still has a lot to prove. Although he helped Bournemouth win a ticket to European cups for the first time and received attention from many big clubs, the Spanish coach understands that Liverpool is a completely different level challenge.
I need to prove that I deserve to be here, capable enough to lead Liverpool. That is my immediate goal" - Iraola shared.
He said his coaching career has always progressed step by step, from small teams to more competitive environments. Therefore, taking over Liverpool is just the next step in that journey, although the pressure will be greater than ever.
According to Iraola, Liverpool's board of directors also frankly shared that the team will face many difficulties, from replacing important players who have left to injuries. However, he believes the current squad is still of sufficient quality to compete.
However, Iraola affirmed that he will not change the philosophy that helped him succeed in recent years. He wants Liverpool to play energetically, proactively impose the game and create continuous pressure on the opponent, especially at Anfield.
I want Anfield to become a place where every opponent feels uncomfortable. That can only be achieved when the team creates a strong connection with the fans" - he emphasized.
The Spanish coach also said that he wants to quickly integrate into life at Liverpool, instead of just being stuck between training ground and residence. According to Iraola, connecting with the city is also an important part of the The Kop coach's job.
Besides professional challenges, Iraola also has to work in the context of Liverpool having many changes at the top when Michael Edwards left Fenway Sports Group and the future of Sporting Director Richard Hughes is still unclear.
However, the 44-year-old strategist affirmed that he is not too concerned about changes at the leadership level. The most important thing at this time is to build a united team, helping players maximize their abilities and best prepare for the new season.
Honestly, at this time I am only focused on my work. The most important thing is to prepare for the process of working with the players, find the most suitable position for each person and build a team that can play effectively.
In daily work, I am also more interested in completing transfer deals" - Liverpool's new captain shared.
