07 May 2026 09:59:37
Good morning all,
I have mixed feelings about Iraola, I believe he is an excellent manager but he has recently cited that his family are unable to settle in the UK. I have also read some reports he is looking to Spain for his next move.
I hope we are not falling into the same trap as we are with Slot, who wants to be with his family?
I have said before, Alonso is tailor made for us and I would hate to see him go to Chelsea.
Keep up the good work Ed's and thanks for a great forum.
Phil
07 May 2026 11:22:02
Livphil
The situation with Iraola could be different, I don't know.
1. His family seemingly did actually relocate with him to the UK when he took the Bournemouth job in the first place.
2. Spain is a 2-hour flight from the UK rather than a 45-minute one. It may not seem like much, but it is.
3. The Bilbao job has just been taken by the ex-Dortmund coach.
The only other opening this summer that could match Iraola's stock is Real Madrid, but that could easily derail his career.
I disagree that Alonso is made for Liverpool. I think Alonso is liked by Liverpool more than he likes Liverpool, but that is just a personal opinion. He made a disastrous choice going to Real Madrid despite advice not to.
07 May 2026 11:50:47
One thing I know for a fact about Iraola, if we get him, is the days of passing around at the back will be well and truly gone.
I've made my feelings very clear already. Iraola would be a fantastic choice. I'm getting prematurely excited here about him coming. Need to calm it down a bit. Probably won't happen because I want it too much.
07 May 2026 14:02:47
@Davey, As much as I want Xabi to be the manager (Enrique ain't happening, imo) cos he has won stuff and knows the journey that leads to glory, I absolutely love Iraola and the football he plays. B'mouth are one of my fav. teams in the PL to watch and that is thanks to him and his staff and of course, the players.
Most importantly, he has a way of getting the absolute best out of his players esp. the younger ones like Elie Kroupi Jnr. and several others. It will be very interesting to see what he can do with more funds, better players and on the big stage with a bigger club. If it is with LFC then, so be it.
07 May 2026 19:26:13
It's quite easy to start picking holes in each of the managers we are linked with.
Alonso - plays with 3 at the back and not a system we've played well. Didn't do so well at Madrid.
Hoeness - won a cup but only managed mid-table teams. Could he hack it in the EPL?
Iraola - can he deal with the pressures of having to win every week? His style of football creates lots of injuries.
Will his family want to move away?
Enrique - could he cope playing 60 high intensity games per season? Can he still do it without having the most money in the league?
However, every manager is a risk and there is no guarantee of success.
They are all fine managers and have had recent success. How can you expect to know how they'd cope without them actually doing the role?