Andoni Iraola has said he feels privileged to be the new manager of Liverpool.
Iraola has been appointed as Arne Slot’s successor at Anfield, following the decision to dismiss the Dutchman. The former arrives after impressing in the Premier League at Bournemouth, where he secured European football last season.
He decided to leave the Cherries at the expiration of his contract and is now relishing a new role at one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs. Iraola said the passion of the city and Liverpool fanbase is something that attracted him to Anfield.
“Yes, it matters a lot to everyone. Football at the end is about emotion. I understand it’s also a privilege but also a big responsibility, because all those people want to be represented properly and we are here for this. I would love from my side, from the players’ side, so all those people, [to] identify also with the football, identify with the values of the squad and we are all in for this.”
Iraola reunites with former Bournemouth director Richard Hughes at Anfield, with the latter key to the decision to appoint the Spaniard at both clubs. Asked about the conversations between the two about moving to Liverpool, Iraola added: “Obviously it helps a lot when on the other side of the table there is someone who you have already worked with. We were one year together [at Bournemouth].
“But in this case, I would say it’s about the club, it’s about Liverpool – it’s what really attracted me. I think now I am looking forward to getting all the information.
“I’m talking to everyone so I can understand better the club, everything that happens outside the pitch. We still have time, we still have one month until we really start working with the players, but I would like to use this month also properly to arrive here in the proper way.”
