Andoni Iraola is already well acquainted with the Europa League, and he’s well aware that he has Arne Slot to thank for finally getting a shot at the tier above.
Following Liverpool’s dismal season, which ended in a fifth-place finish and Slot’s dismissal last weekend, the departing manager was keen to stress that, despite the turbulence, he had still guided the Reds through troubled waters and back into the Champions League spots, however underwhelming their campaign had been.
In an open letter to the ECHO on Monday, Slot – who had anticipated staying in his role until learning of his sacking on Saturday morning – described that as “an important responsibility and one that ensures Liverpool can continue competing at the highest level next season and beyond.”
And as he settles into Slot’s former chair, the incoming Iraola is thankful to be embarking on his new role among Europe’s finest, reports the Liverpool Echo.
“Massive respect for Arne, massive respect,” said the new head coach. “He’s been a Premier League champion and this is something that is massive, especially for a club like Liverpool.
“The Champions League, I had the chance to play it just once as a player. We used to qualify a lot for the Europa League [as a player at Athletic Bilbao] but the Champions League, I’ve only played it once and I’m looking forward to play [it for the] first time as a coach. Big demands, also big chances to face the best teams in Europe and see where we are.”
That desire to pit himself against Europe’s elite is another driving force behind Iraola’s decision to take the Liverpool role, with the former Bournemouth manager putting pen to paper on a two-year deal on Thursday.
View 3 ImagesArne Slot was sacked after a difficult second season at Anfield(Image: Getty Images)
Iraola deliberately opts for shorter contracts because he believes it keeps his hunger to keep developing alive.
The Spaniard won widespread admiration for Bournemouth’s attractive brand of football, nurturing talents such as Antoine Semenyo, Dean Huijsen, Iliya Zabarnyi and Liverpool’s Milos Kerkez before cashing in on them for substantial fees.
Iraola would regularly study Liverpool as part of his preparation while at the Cherries, and he is now relishing the opportunity to take charge at Anfield.
“For me, it’s much easier to continue in the Premier League in terms of knowing the squad,” he continued in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com. “We’ve analysed Liverpool a lot – possible weaknesses, the strengths. I think we have a very good squad.
View 3 ImagesAndoni Iraola is excited to work with his new Liverpool players(Image: Getty Images)
“I think there is still work to do, like normally in every club in this moment of the season. But right now, for me the thing is to value especially the players that we have right now in the squad.
“For me, and I will tell them, [they] are all new signings. For me, you are all new signings and I think we have a lot of quality in our squad, and [I’m] really looking forward to working with them.
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“I only had, I think, Milos in the squad before – I know a couple, I’ve been talking to a couple before – but it will be lovely also to play again with Milos, try to improve him, try to help him in his development. Yeah, definitely looking forward to it.”
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