27 Nov 2025 15:59:34
Ed1,
Always value your opinions and insights.
I really like Iraola as a manager. However, reaserched a bit more about him earlier to find out more.
He Dosent strike me as a winner. He’s won a small cup at a previous club in Spain. It worries me, that he may not have that ruthless winning mentality and ego that top top managers have. Whilst good, I don’t know if he’s got the character,
Know how, expertise and leadership to go and win the biggest trophies with the biggest club in the world.
Can he take that next step? Few can.
The only one I’d even remotely feel Confident with would be Alonso. Due to his success at Bayer, but also his experience playing in the premier league with us.
Just wanted to see why you like Iraola so much I guess.
What do you think?
cheers, as always! Much appreciated.
{Ed001's Note - how can you judge Iraola on that? He hasn't managed a team with a shot of winning anything. I like him so much because his players adore him and will run through brick walls for him and he plays a very aggressive, front foot style of footie.}
27 Nov 2025 16:21:35
Iraola and Glasner are for me the two most impressive managers in the league. They've taken streaky teams and made them very competitive. Alonso the other obvious candidate.
27 Nov 2025 16:26:51
Ed - do you think the initial feeler has been put to Iraola after all the board must of been getting a bit twitchy a few weeks back with our form?
It’s a no brainer on his part to come if he wants or is it risking souring a good relationship with Bournemouth.
{Ed001's Note - there is no need to put out feelers to him, Hughes knows him extremely well.}
27 Nov 2025 16:28:44
My only issue ed, is that Bournemouth has under Iraola been a very transitional counter-pressing team, they aren't the sort of team that dominates the other team and pens them in or that is even expected to, but one that uses the other team's momentum against them.
They do seem to be evolving a bit this year, to mixed but largely positive success, but I don't know enough about how he would do with a squad studded with technical and attacking talent, and that is expected to be on top in every game they play against any opposition.
{Ed001's Note - from what I have been told by those that have worked under him and with him, he would relish it. It is what he has always aimed for but never had the talent in the team to achieve.}
27 Nov 2025 16:47:50
Ed, I think that was Joey's point. It's really an unknown variable because he's never managed a big club with high pressure who are expected to win things. For me, Iraola seems like a very talented manager but a big risk. I feel like there's a club in-between Bournemouth and Liverpool on his CV. That's just my take though.
{Ed001's Note - then why did he say that he struck him as not being a winner? That is totally different, not at all what you are suggesting.}
27 Nov 2025 19:21:37
ed1 - I like Iraola too. I also like the idea of some of that latino-passion and fire at the club. This is totally generalized, but I really feel that we miss that competitiveness we got from the south american lads Diaz, Nunez. Attacking players who competed all across the pitch, just a little wayward up front at times hahahahaha
I think people would hesitate with Iraola only because we factually haven't seen him at a big club and due to the current situation and feeling like we need a "sure thing".
And to me this is the dilemma with the current situation. The current run of results and performances feels sackable. But there isn't an obvious solution and in my recent memory anyways, I can't recall a mid-season appointment going on to have long term and sustained success in the Prem other than Klopp.
So to me it is more delicate than people would probably like and I think that ultimately the right decision may be to see the season out and support Slot / players to get the best out of this season as they can.
{Ed001's Note - there are no sure things.}
27 Nov 2025 18:53:47
I think Iraola’ s style of play would suit us
Having Wirtz, Isak and Hugo in a team pacey full backs would suit I think
I’d just get the two CM to protect the centre halves.
{Ed001's Note - Iraola likes to have a destroyer in midfield as well, he actually understands the need for one.}
27 Nov 2025 18:53:47
I think Iraola’ s style of play would suit us
Having Wirtz, Isak and Hugo in a team pacey full backs would suit I think
I’d just get the two CM to protect the centre halves.
27 Nov 2025 22:10:30
99% of appointments and signings are risks. Iraola or Alonso equally so. Someone is going to take a punt on the former. I'd rather it be us than Chelsea. I think he'll be worth it. None of us knew sweet FA about Slot 2 years ago and he proved worthwhile for last seasons success.
He shot himself in the foot and I don't believe Iraola would have the same weakness. Everyone has had to start somewhere, even Jurgen.
27 Nov 2025 23:08:50
Shanklys ghost, I disagree that Iraola and Alonso are equal risks. The majority of successful Premier League managers have won big trophies elsewhere. Alonso won the double with an underdog in a top 5 league. I can't think of many managers in my lifetime who have "climbed up" the league to have success with a big club. Moyes, Rodgers, Potter, Nuno. All failures. Pochettino was probably the closest.
Klopp tooks a decade and a half to climb up from the Bundesliga 2 to winning consecutive titles and getting to a Champions League final. He wouldn't have been ready for the Liverpool job halfway through that journey and for me there's a massive jump between Iraola's achievements so far and sufficient experience for the Liverpool job.
27 Nov 2025 22:54:09
Ed that was just the way what Joey was saying came across to me although can understand how you interpreted it that way.