13 May 2026 09:46:47
I just don't get why fans would want Iraola as their manager. He was fairly successful at Bournmouth without actually ever achieving any silverware. He has never managed in the CL and never managed a team with egos and agents who are at the top of their game.
Liverpool have a massive rebuild going on, and you need a manager with a sound reputation to attract top quality players.
As for Enrique, he is going to sign a new contract with PSG so he isn't available.
13 May 2026 10:27:34
Ireola would be my choice due to his type of football no.1 and no.2, he has managed in Prem for few years now. I think to judge the Bournemouth manager on trophies is unfair as with their model of selling players continually v v hard to win silverware. Finishing position in the league would be a better judge than winning a league or FA Cup imo.
There are downsides as well, as u say, he's never managed a massive club before and his family supposedly unsettled in England, which would definitely need to be straightened out if we were going to appoint him.
There are not a massive amount of options out there, which has probably kept Slot in a job longer than he should've been. I wouldn't be familiar with Harness at all, so can't comment, Alonso ticks a lot of boxes but the last 2 seasons we have played his teams in Champ League and they looked quite poor I thought. We beat Leverkusan 4-0 and Madrid 1-0 but should've been 4. Anytime we've played Bournemouth under Ireola I've been v impressed with them.
13 May 2026 10:30:02
For all of Ireola's good qualities, in a balanced argument, these are some of the downsides, in fairness.
13 May 2026 10:33:41
I like Iraola to be fair and would have no issues with him being announced as our new manager. Style of football is good, seems like a likeable character, but agree he hasn't been tested at a club anywhere near the size of Liverpool so it's a massive step up and is a risk. I do find it strange that people think he's achieved more than Xabi and would be less of a risk than him though, but each to their own. Same with Hoeness, who I'll be honest I don't know loads about, but seems like a lot are dubbing him Klopp part 2...which is setting the poor lad up for failure already as there's only one Kloppo, unfortunately!
Whoever we hire is a risk, but one thing is for sure, a change is needed.
Xabi is the one for me as he would command more respect instantly because of what he achieved as a player but that's also no guarantee of success, but the fact he also got the best out of Wirtz and Frimpong could benefit too, not to mention the prior connection which is slightly less important but would give him a bit more initial patience with the fanbase (not much judging by the modern day fan though).
Just hope we don't mess it up again and make the right decision whoever it is! Whoever it is will have my full backing...heck even if we stick with Slot...I'll hate it but we support the club first and foremost!
13 May 2026 10:42:35
Iraola has done an excellent job at Bournemouth.
To have your squad gutted and still rebuild and be on the cusp of Europe is exceptional work.
13 May 2026 10:43:15
The only person I'd genuinely breathe a sigh of relief at securing would be Enrique.
The others, I'd be excited about and would back, but would be preparing myself for a project and defending them against the inevitable torrent of abuse and doubt on this forum if things are up and down.
13 May 2026 11:21:26
Alwaysred, think we have to realistically say that he had little chance of winning silverware at Bournemouth, especially when they are a club that sells their best players on a regular basis.
Just because someone has not managed at a big club doesn't mean to say that they can't be a success. Paisley, Fagan & Dalglish had no experience managing a big club, but they did ok.
If you take Utd as a good example of when top managers have been employed & not been good enough, but one with none has come in & got them CL football.
Iraola plays good football & his players rave about him. He's not assured to succeed, but he's not sure to fail because of his club history.
13 May 2026 11:48:04
Iraola (Iriola, Areola) should be discounted purely on the basis that we as a fan group will never spell his name right.
Unlike Alonso!
13 May 2026 12:22:46
Is that Xavi Alonso, Zed?
13 May 2026 13:15:39
That's the one, Rome! ;-)
13 May 2026 13:25:07
Nutter74, let's leave the comparisons with Paisley, Dalglish and King Kenny to the side as none of that applies to today's football atmosphere.
For me, if you think LFC should be competing and winning trophies near every season then, a manager who has no idea what any of that is like at this moment is not the guy for us right now. The logic is that simple.
For ex. I wanted Slot/Xabi to take over from Klopp cos they knew what it was like to win trophies and esp. a league title. They know what that journey is like. Not saying it guaranteed success, but at least they get it.
Klopp was in this boat as well when BR got kicked out.
Iraola is a very good manager and plays the football I love watching. Iraola is doing bits at Bournmouth and him being at Bournmouth and not winning anything is not a slight to him at all. It is what it is.
I'm just saying that with where we are as a club right now, we need managers who understand that success is imperative and have that mentality with the receipts to prove it. Nothing is guaranteed but at least the manager knows the deal and has the required experience.
13 May 2026 14:54:45
Iraola has his teams playing attacking football that is fun to watch. If he can have the same effect on the squad we have, it would be a hell of a lot better than this season, irrespective of where we would end up in the league or what cups we would win.
13 May 2026 16:20:47
To find out if Iraola is good enough to manage a massive club, he has to be given the chance to do so.
He ticks so many boxes. He does not want to get involved with transfers, which should please the data nerds, but more importantly, he plays the type of football we are desperate to see again at Anfield.
To be stripped of your entire back 4, including the goalkeeper, and have Bournemouth in the top 6 is a superb achievement.
Whoever gets him as their next manager will be a very lucky club indeed.
13 May 2026 16:24:27
WDW, that I do agree with. Anything at this point is better than the absolute shambles and a half we are being afflicted with up till now.