By Dan Clubbe

As Liverpool prepares for a new era following the departure of Arne Slot, one name that continues to generate intrigue among supporters is Andoni Iraola. The now former Bournemouth manager has earned widespread praise for his high-intensity, front-foot style of football, building on the reputation he first established in Spain with Rayo Vallecano.

Before making the move to the Premier League, Iraola transformed Rayo from a newly promoted side into one of La Liga’s most admired teams, combining tactical innovation with an uncompromising playing philosophy. His work not only elevated the club’s standing but also attracted attention from across Europe.

Is Andoni Iraola the RIGHT MAN to take over at Liverpool!?

To gain a deeper insight into the coach behind the growing reputation, Dan spoke to a journalist who covered Iraola’s spell at Rayo Vallecano.

In this exclusive interview, we discuss his tactical approach, leadership qualities, relationship with players and supporters, and whether he could one day be destined for one of football’s biggest jobs — including a potential move to Liverpool…

On his achievements at Rayo: “He did great here. He came from a smaller team than Rallo Vallecano, from the second division of Spain. He was unknown. We didn’t know about him. Rayo Vallecano was in the second division when he arrived here. We didn’t expect so much. We knew that he was good, but nothing more. But his performance was super good here in Rayo Vallecano.

“He achieved promotion to La Liga, the first division of Spain. We didn’t expect it. It was at the time of COVID. It was almost a miracle. He also did a good performance in La Liga. He was really close to playing in the Conference League or the Europa League. He was really close to his team in Rayo Vallecano.”

On his management style: “The way Rayo plays is more or less the same as the style in Bournemouth. He’s achieved a lot with a lot of pressure from the rivals. But I think he’s a friend of the team. He achieved something really good in a team. The players were like a family in Rayo Vallecano. He also did it in Bournemouth. I didn’t know much about Bournemouth, but I think he’s doing the same. They are not players. They are like a family, a group of friends playing together.”

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On what he wants from his teams: “Pressure. I need the ball. I’m going to the ball. The ball is going to be with me. I’m not going to wait in defence. I’m going to attack. I’m going to press, press, press all the time. I think this is the main capacity of Andoni Iraola’s style. I’m also playing with the wings of the team. I think this is the style. Playing long with the wings. Pressure, pressure, pressure all the time on the rival. We loved his style.

“I lived in Liverpool for three years. For me, it’s special that Iraola is going to Anfield. For me personally, it’s more special than any other team. I think we love the idea of him for Anfield, for Liverpool. It’s quite similar to Klopp’s style. It’s not the same. He needs to do many things to get to the level of Klopp. The idea of the football is good for Anfield. It’s good for Liverpool.  We loved it here in Madrid, in Vallecas. The fans of Rayo are very proud of the team. The team reflects that the people want to be in the grass.”

On Iraola the person: “I know him personally. He’s good. He’s a really good mate. I hope that in Liverpool, he achieves many things. I think he can do it.”

On the fit at LFC: “His way of thinking about players. He’s going to make everything involved in the project. So maybe…my impression is that he’s able to achieve things in Liverpool. I really think he’s going to match the atmosphere. With you, with the scouse, with the city. For me, it’s one of the friendliest cities in the UK. I think as soon as he touches the bottom of getting everything involved, you’re going to love him. He’s a loved guy. Maybe he needs a bit of time. It’s not going to be sudden. But I think you’re going to love him. I hope. I hope because he’s good. And I think he can connect with the Scouse people. And with all of you.”

Speaking at the unveiling, Liverpool FC CEO Billy Hogan said: “I think clearly it’s an important day to remember. One that, as we said earlier, we never want to forget. To show respect to those lives that were lost 41 years ago. This is something that we recognise every year. And really, the conversation started over a year ago about trying to think about where we might have an appropriate place to potentially move the memorial. What the memorial might then look like and how it might be reimagined. That’s where Forever Bound came from.

“Huge credit to our supporters and our fan groups, who really approached us with the idea. I think what we see today is, number one, I think just a beautiful memorial and something that provides our fans and the fans of other clubs. And generally, a place to come and show their respect and remember those lives that were lost. To ensure, I think this was said earlier as well, to make sure that something like that never happens again.”

On the relationship with Juventus: “There’s a tremendous amount of respect for Juventus Football Club just as an institution, as a club, and what they’ve achieved on the pitch. I would say that there’s a very strong relationship between the two clubs. Peter Silverstone is here representing them, and I have known him for 15 years, working together in football. And we know the executives of the board at Juventus very well. So the relationship is very strong, and that’s developed, obviously, over time. As I said earlier, this difficult, terrible tragedy that the two clubs share, but that relationship now is very strong.”

On Liverpool’s involvement in fan safety moving forwards: “I think just generally speaking from our perspective, you know, obviously here at Anfield or anywhere that we may be travelling, that’s something that we take, you know, safety of our supporters is the number one issue for us. Our team here, our operations team, you know, does an incredible job of making sure that fan safety is at the top of the priority list. So, you know, whether it’s here at Anfield and obviously some of the improvements that have been made here over the course of the last 15 years with the expansion of Anfield, more people coming to Anfield, more people coming to the neighbourhood, wanting to make sure that we’re doing everything possible to ensure that safety perspective. And then obviously when we travel abroad, and ensuring that we’re working with whoever the relevant bodies are to ensure that, you know, our visiting supporters are well taken care of and looked after. That’s something that is a work in progress, to be fair. And so, you know, we continue to work with whoever, as I said, whoever the relevant bodies are to ensure that we’re doing everything possible to try and ensure not just our supporter safety, but everybody that might come to a match.”

Former Liverpool and Juventus striker Ian Rush also spoke about his unique connection with both clubs: “I think it’s important that both clubs are together. It’s been 41 years since it happened. Sometimes it feels like yesterday, but 41 years and two great clubs, it means something to me because I played for both clubs as well. It’s great to see Sergio Brio as well. I played with him when he was there. It just goes to show the bond that the two clubs have is something special.”

On the memorial itself: “It’s absolutely incredible. It’s the first time I’ve seen it as well. It just goes to show the bond between the two clubs. It’s very fitting. I think when people come, they’ll be coming to have a look at it as well. I don’t think you can ask for much more.”