🚨 BREAKING: Liverpool confirm Andoni Iraola as their new head coach. He has signed a two-year contract.
It follows a rigorous yet urgent process following the departure of Arne Slot, who only found out he was leaving on Saturday morning.
#LFC decided to evolve their playing style to make it more front-foot, aggressive and urgent. Iraola viewed as fitting that bill.
Liverpool able to attract Iraola, who was in talks with Crystal Palace, Leverkusen and Milan.
He is well-known to Richard Hughes and someone whose career #LFC have followed for over a decade. Understand the club actually tried to sign him as a player.
Length of Iraola’s contract is in keeping with how the Spaniard works.
It was clear from the outset Iraola was the standout candidate, even though Sebastian Hoeneß and Pierre Sage were considered.
Once Iraola knew of Liverpool’s interest, he made it clear to the club all other options were off the table and he wanted to join.
Backroom staff to be confirmed shortly. Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper, Tom Webber and Pablo de la Torre all expected to join.
Liverpool were attracted by Iraola’s clear identity, proven Premier League record and his personality and leadership qualities.
His teams play with intensity, aggression and purpose, including with a high press, ability to win the ball back quickly and attack at speed. Liverpool also believe he has a track record of specifically improving attackers.
His approach has drawn some comparisons to the style that brought Liverpool success over the last decade.
#LFC believe Iraola will bring continuity, fresh ideas and help Liverpool evolve and ultimately win silverware.🇪🇸
🚨 Andoni Iraola: “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”.