Andoni Iraola has replaced Arne Slott as Liverpool manager, with the Reds’ new head coach paying tribute to the Dutchman for securing Champions League football.
Andoni Iraola paid tribute to Arne Slott, who was appointed as Liverpool manager (Image: Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth, AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola is already familiar with the Europa League and knows he has Arne Slott to thank for finally giving him a chance in the upper tier.
Following Liverpool’s disastrous season, which saw them finish fifth and see Slott sacked at the weekend, the outgoing manager was keen to stress that despite the upheaval, he had steered the Reds through the tribulations and back into the Champions League.
In an open letter to the ECHO on Monday, Slott, who expected to remain in the job until learning of his sacking on Saturday morning, called it “an important responsibility and one that will ensure Liverpool can continue to compete at the highest level next season and beyond.”
And as Slott’s former chairman settles in, the incoming Iraola is grateful to be embarking on a new role among Europe’s best players, reports the Liverpool Echo.
“A lot of respect, a lot of respect for Arne,” the new head coach said. “He’s a Premier League champion, which is huge, especially for a club like Liverpool.
“The Champions League, I only had the chance to play once as a player. I have qualified for the Europa League many times before (as a player with Athletic Bilbao), but I have only played in the Champions League once and I am looking forward to playing it for the first time as a coach. It’s a big ask, but also a big chance to play against the best teams in Europe and see where we are.”
A desire to compete against Europe’s elite was another driving force behind Iraola’s decision to take on the Liverpool role, with the former Bournemouth manager penning a two-year deal on Thursday.
Arne Slott has been sacked after two tough seasons at Anfield (Image: Getty Images)
Iraola has deliberately chosen a short contract as he believes it will keep him hungry to continue developing.
The Spaniard developed talent such as Antoine Semenho, Dean Huyssen, Ilya Zabarny and Liverpool’s Milos Kerkes, and went on to earn big wages and win widespread praise as Bournemouth’s attractive brand of football.
Iraola regularly studied Liverpool as part of his preparation while at the Cherries and is currently relishing the opportunity to manage at Anfield.
“For me, it’s much easier to continue playing in the Premier League in terms of getting to know the team,” he continued in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com. “We have analyzed Liverpool, their possible weaknesses and strengths. I think we have a very good team.
Andoni Iraola is excited to work with Liverpool’s new players (Image: Getty Images)
“I think there’s still work to do, as is normally the case for any club at this stage of the season. But the important thing for me right now is to take care of the players we have in the team in particular.”
“For me, and I say to them, (they) are all new signings. For me, you’re all new signings and I think there’s a lot of quality in the team. And (I’m) really looking forward to working with them.”
“I think we’ve only had Milos in the team so far. I know some of them, I’ve talked to some of them. But it would also be nice to play with Milos again and I’ll try to help him grow and help him grow. Yeah, I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
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