Andoni Iraola believes the impending exit of Fenway Sports Group's CEO of football, Michael Edwards, won't impede his chances of success at Liverpool. Iraola revealed he has been told by the club's American owners that they know "everything is not perfect" right now at Anfield as the new head coach steps up his pre-season preparations at the AXA Training Centre this week.
Edwards departure confirmed
It was confirmed on Friday that the Reds' former sporting director Edwards would be stepping down from his position with FSG after two years. The ownership group's decision to pivot from plans to establish a multi-club model under their umbrella left the executive feeling as though his work had been complete with the Boston-based organisation.
Iraola, who signed a two-year deal to succeed Arne Slot last month, does not believe the exit of the influential Edwards will have a direct impact on his day-to-day role in charge of the team, admitting he is more concerned about building the best squad possible this summer with current sporting director Richard Hughes.
Iraola's focus on the pitch
"No, I have to be honest," Iraola said when asked about Edwards leaving. "I’m focused on my job which is a massive one in terms of getting ready to start working with the players, trying to find the best spot for a player, trying to create a collective atmosphere where they can perform, and in my everyday, I’m more worried about transfers."
"I talk to Richard Hughes, I talk to (FSG president) Mike Gordon, I talked to Michael Edwards – in the times I’ve spoken to him he seems super-smart - so it is unfortunate he’s not going to continue with us but he’s explained very well his decision and his reasons. I think it’s more at ownership level than something that is going to effect the coach."
Proving he belongs
Iraola added: "I feel like I have a lot of things to prove in terms of I've never coached a club as big as Liverpool. So, it's a big challenge for me. But there always has to be that first moment. My career has been slowly, slowly, you know? Going to a better club, to a better club, then you get a promotion, or the La Liga, then Premier League, then you get to a better class."
"So, I've experienced this kind of change of goals or coaching in a bigger club, and there is always a time where I say: ‘You have to prove that you belong’. And this is the first month for me now. It's like, I need to prove myself, and get everyone to know that I belong here. That I have the level to stay here. That I have the level to coach Liverpool, and that's my challenge short term, you know? Once you've gone through this process, and everyone understands that you belong there, everything gets easier. I think from the players, the supporters, the media, the opposition, but you have to go through this process."
Owners' honesty about challenges
"This always happens. I trust myself a lot, and I think I'm ready for the challenge that I know is very big. When I came here, the owners told me everything is not perfect. They said we would have some challenges, we would have to replace important players leaving, we have some injuries, but we are here to solve these kinds of problems and to try to maximize what we have. In my opinion, we have a very good squad."
Restoring Anfield's fear factor
Iraola was employed to introduce a more intense and aggressive playing style at Anfield after a disappointing finish under Slot last time out, when the Reds limped into fifth and were beaten 12 times in the Premier League. On the challenge now facing him at Liverpool and how he plans to restore Anfield's fear factor, Iraola said: "I always talk about energy. I want my team to be energetic. I want to be dynamic, to play in a position half as much as we can, sometimes on the ball, sometimes without the ball, try to suffocate the opposition, especially at Anfield."
"We have to make Anfield a very uncomfortable place to come. Because sometimes I've come and it's a lovely stadium, lovely atmosphere, and you try to enjoy it. No. We have to make it so it's going to be nice, but it's going to be nice for us because you are going to have a hard time. This requires also the connection with the supporters."
Connection with supporters
"I think one of our biggest advantages is if we get this connection from the team to the supporters, from the supporters to the team, right? It's very difficult then to stop us, especially at home, because I felt it from the other side. [Regaining that connection] is probably one of the first things to do and achieve. Get this connection because this will help us. I think it's something that has to come from the team. I know if the team gives what we want, we'll have everyone behind us. And this is something that I would like also the players to acknowledge and accept this."
