14 Mar 2026 09:02:21
The more I watch Bournemouth this year the more I like Iraola as a great shout after the inevitable departure of Slot at the end of this year.
Players are not the same under him. I like Xabi as well; there is no doubt he would be a great appointment.
My feeling with Iraola is proven Prem experience, attacking football and would get the best from this team. What’s your thoughts, lads?
14 Mar 2026 09:15:02
I'd like him. Someone on here said he is going to the Mancs?
14 Mar 2026 10:48:20
Needs another job first, so we can see how he deals with being a challenger and expected to win most games. Bielsa-ball is great until it stops working.
14 Mar 2026 11:06:41
I agree, Fly. I think it would be a huge risk. The league is littered with managers who do well at lesser teams and choke when they make the step up. Just look at Thomas Frank for a very recent example.
We need to aim higher than Iraola.
14 Mar 2026 11:42:02
I like both, and I get what you two are saying about needing another job first. But is the other job a case of just having it for experience, or actually succeeding in it? Because if you were counting Leverkusen as Xabi's Bournemouth, well, then he's had the other job, but he didn't succeed in it.
14 Mar 2026 11:48:55
Bit of a stretch to compare Bundesliga-winning Leverkusen with Bournemouth, mate.
14 Mar 2026 11:52:26
Every manager is a risk to a degree, and with the lack of "big-name" experience among managers, then even more so. To be honest, I don't think there's much difference really in terms of Areola and Alonso in that respect.
14 Mar 2026 12:09:33
I agree, Fly. Iraola needs to go cut his teeth at a bigger (not necessarily a big) club where there is some pressure to win and do his thing there. I need a manager at LFC who can win cos they actually have experience of winning. They know what the expectations are, and what the journey feels/looks like.
This is one of the reasons I want Alonso.
He won big where no one expected him to, esp. with very little experience. Alonso comes in here (hopefully). He knows what the deal is, what the expectations are, and has experience of not just winning here as a player, but winning as a manager. Just my take.
14 Mar 2026 12:18:15
@Varry, Frank's play style always seemed like something that would not work with a bigger team. Iraola plays attacking, exciting football. Bournemouth are my favourite team to watch this season. Also, as hard as it is to say, United under Amorim also played enjoyable games, mostly this season. Not that I want him to be our coach.
14 Mar 2026 12:22:56
Get this man out of my club.
I need a manager at LFC who can win.
The gift that keeps on giving.
14 Mar 2026 12:47:44
I know, JK, but you know what I mean. And, in fairness, Iraola's done well in a far better league overall than the Bundesliga. The likes of Brighton, Fulham and Bournemouth would probably finish in the Champions League places in Germany. Anyway, I'd be happy with either if there's a change of manager.
14 Mar 2026 13:12:10
Have to say I'm always a bit nervous after Hodgson and Brenda, to pick a manager from a 'lesser' team.
Everyone has a go at you. There is always room to exploit. You can set up pretty much the same every week. If you lose 3 or 4 on the bounce, oh well. I always find these managers get their team playing like prime 1970 Brazil for 10 or 15 games a season, but those other games, they look average or worse.
But there does seem to be a drastic shortage of a stand out world class manager available. I mean, if you picked a world 11, who would the manager be? Enrique, I guess. Maybe Pep.
14 Mar 2026 13:18:32
When there's a change of manager FM.
14 Mar 2026 13:23:41
I think Iraola would suit us down to the ground i am not 100% convinced about Alonso he could not control big ego players they walked all over him to nice to be honest.
Iraola had to cope with his star players leaving and he just got on with the job his football is what we are crying out for and he makes changes when it is right time not wait until 5 mins to go in a match.
I hope the mancs don't get Iraola he will do a great job there sorry to say.
14 Mar 2026 18:21:49
Nothing to do with me, Shanks.
14 Mar 2026 18:51:10
"Fulham, Brighton and Bournemouth would finish in CL places." Please, someone stop FM from talking. He will say any old rubbish to preserve an argument.
14 Mar 2026 19:09:05
Wasnt arguing with anyone, Frode, was discussing something with a couple of regular posters. Are those three teams that much worse than Dortmund (recently stuffed by Spurs), Hoffenheim, Stuttgart and Leipzig, who are currently vying for those spots in Germany. Im starting to feel like I have a stalker, Frode. Unfortunately, Im not into the internet dating. ?