Jun 8, 2026 4:28 AM
Andoni Iraola was unveiled yesterday as Liverpool Football Club's new Head Coach. Here are some of the things he had to say in his first interview.
Andoni Iraola Unveiled As New Reds Boss
Andoni Iraola was unveiled yesterday as Liverpool Football Club's new Head Coach. After Arne Slot had been relieved of his duties last weekend, contacts between Richard Hughes and Andoni Iraola escalated quickly, resulting in his much-anticipated, although unsurprising, appointment last night.
Read on to learn what he had to say in his first interview with the club's media team...
Iraola's First Words As LFC Head Coach
It's clear to see that the Basque coach is thrilled to have made the move to Anfield, and he touched on multiple different topics in his first interview with the club's media team:
On how he feels after joining Liverpool FC:
Really excited, really excited, because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it's a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest clubs in the world.
I always thought it's a special club. Not about the football side, also because it's what people think about even during the week, how they are passionate about the club.
Asked whether Liverpool fans' obsession and passion for the club was a point of attraction to him:
Yes, it matters a lot to everyone...football at the end is about emotion, no? And I understand it's also a privilege, but also a big responsibility. Because all those people want to be represented properly, and we are here for this.
I would love for [all those people] to identify also with the football, identify with the values of the squad, and we are all-in for this.
On why he was attracted to the prospect of joining Liverpool:
I think you don't need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool.
The atmosphere, the supporters... the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles. I think it cannot be more attractive than this.
On his pre-existing relationship with Richard Hughes:
Obviously, it helps a lot. On the other side of the table, there is someone who you have already worked with. But, in this case, I would say it is about the club, it is about Liverpool, that's what really attracted me.
On the possible effect of the World Cup on pre-season:
...with the World Cup being there we will have a chance to work especially with some of the young players...it gives us the chance to know better the players from the academy...they will be an important part of the first part of pre-season, the American tour.
On his style of play:
There are some things that obviously we need to change, coaching Liverpool, but I wouldn't like to lose our identity: the intensity, the aggressiveness, the organisation...certain things that I would always like to have in my team.
Obviously you have to adapt to the players you have...but there are fundamentals that I also think match quite well with what Liverpool [have been doing] during a lot of years.
On the Anfield atmosphere:
...he [Chiesa] scored and the place erupted, erupted. It was crazy, and I want now to feel this from the otherside.
You need to earn the right to also belong. And I want to do this as quickly as possible...so I can be part of those celebrations properly as well.
For me, football is about emotions, passion...when the game starts, when you need to celebrate a goal, there's something inside, and I think this inner energy, you need it as a player, as a supporter, as a coach, and there's no better place than Anfield.
On his ambitions:
I think Liverpool gives me the chance to coach top-players, and top-players give you the chance to fight for titles, to win titles.
When you arrive to a place, you cannot promise everything, you cannot promise, but it's true that I understand where I'm coming and what is expected. I'm ready for the challenge.
On what he would say to the Liverpool fans:
I cannot ask them for a lot...I can only say that I want to become one more of you, I want to earn the right to be one of you, so we can enjoy all together.
Author's Verdict
First impressions mean a lot, and even more so at Liverpool. It's safe to say that Iraola knew this before coming into the club. His first interview has gone down extremely well with the Liverpool fanbase, generating a refreshing sense of optimism for next season.
The boss's words have hit home for good reason. After two years of the cold and collected Arne Slot, a return of emotion has been long overdue. Iraola's emphasis on his belief that "football is about emotions" and his desire to "earn the right to be one of you [the Liverpool fans]" has many, including myself, feeling that instant connection.
In fact, Iraola is maybe underestimating how quickly that connection can be formed. Having already hit the ground running with his first interview, he's likely to be fully adopted into the Liverpool family very quickly - even if he believes he has work to do to earn his inclusion.
Iraola also highlighted his uncompromising ideals: "intensity, aggressiveness, organisation", all of which will be music to the ears of many supporters after witnessing the lethargic style on display last season.
At the end of the day, Reds fans will always back a new manager - especially one who understands what the supporters want to see, and why they want to see it.
You can watch the full interview yourself on LFC's All Red video platform.
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