Andoni Iraola to replace Arne Slot as Head Coach at Liverpool

The Spaniard Andoni Iraola who was in charge of Bournemouth has been appointed as Liverpool’s new manager, replacing the sacked Dutchman, Arne Slot.

Iraola has signed a two-year contract. Many were surprised that Liverpool did not opt for a big name coach. The feeling was that Iraola was the closest coach available able to replicate Jurgen Klopp’s “ Heavy Metal” brand of football and return Liverpool to the top of the heap.

Of his new appointment Iraola who is credited with getting Bournemouth to contend for Champions League spots at the top end of the table said, “ I am 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. 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.”.

Andoni Iraola managed Bournemouth for three seasons, taking them from journeymen to a team to be feared. They finished in sixth place just three points behind Liverpool and have won a Europa League spot. World football has appreciated what Iraola has accomplished with a small club like Bournemouth and the players he has made better.

What led to his appointment is his pressing game and his insistence on physicality, getting the ball in transition and keeping it. Bournemouth has done well coming from losing positions to win games.

This is the first time that Iraola has managed a Champions League side and the pressure of coaching Liverpool will be immense. He coached at AEK Larnaca, Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano. 

Liverpool is counting on his brand of football to get it winning trophies again after a dismal season.

Why was Arne Slot sacked?

Last season, Arne Slot won the EPL in his first year of his appointment after succeeding Jurgen Klopp. His future looked bright and it looked like Liverpool would be going head to head with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to be kings of English football.  However in his second season, Slot lost his way not having a tactical identity and losing a number of key games. Under his watch, there were a number of signings that failed to deliver. Alexander Isak was signed from Newcastle for a whopping 125 million pounds and proved to be a dud.Also misfiring was Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Giovanni Leoni. Slot’s team lacked a  cutting edge and was pedestrian. They were unable to build on what Klopp had accomplished and the team had no swagger.

There is no doubt that Liverpool missed Trent Alexander- Arnold, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota. Under Slot, Liverpool were moving backward not forward.  The top teams seem able to take them on and have the better of it.  This was disconcerting for Liverpool’s top brass. Liverpool, unlike Chelsea is not known for disregarding their managers if they fail to win silverware. The bosses are a lot more patient and forgiving. Many thought he would be given a third season to turn things around.

With Mo Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahim Konate on free transfers, the writing was on the wall.

Legendary striler, the Egyptian Mo Salah was particular scathing about Liverpool’s performance this season and called for a return of the days of Klopp.  Many in the team agreed with him He butted heads with Slot. . The dressing room seemed at odds with the coach and Salah seemed to be the voice of its disgruntlement. 

From winning the EPL title last season to struggling to get a Champions League spot, having to rely on winning on the last day of the season to make it, was just unacceptable and Slot had to go.

Iraola joins a list of head coaches who are Spanish, making a mark with some of the biggest clubs in Europe. There is Luis Enrique ( PSG),  Pep Guardiola ( Manchester City), Unai Emery (Aston Villa) Xabi Alonso ( now at Chelsea), Mikel Arteta who just won the EPL title with Arsenal, the first time in 20 years.