Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has explained why he chose to sign only a two-year deal during his first press conference at the AXA Training Centre. The former Bournemouth boss, who led the Cherries to a sixth-place Premier League finish and European qualification last season, faced questions about his contract length on Monday morning.
Contract length not important, says Iraola
Iraola, 44, has a history of signing two-year deals throughout his managerial career. He insisted that the length of a manager's contract does not matter and that it allows both himself and the club to review the arrangement periodically.
"Two-year deals, coaching contracts don't matter a lot. I don't want to be in a place because of a contract. I sign year-to-year, basically. A lot of managers have long contracts but sometimes the club doesn't want it," Iraola said.
"As a player, it's important, but as a manager, it's not important. If you are happy, I am happy. I want to stay here a lot more years, it means I have done a very good job. But we have to earn it. Managers, I feel, have to earn every year the right to continue. Especially in clubs like Liverpool, but I've done it everywhere. I've done it always like this."
Aggressive attacking style to remain
Iraola succeeded Arne Slot at Anfield after impressing with an aggressive attacking playing style at Bournemouth. Liverpool fans can expect the same approach next season, as he pledged not to change his team's DNA.
"I think we have to be our core principles, lots of games, maybe you face low blocks, but I prefer that, we're in control, less chances conceding, these are the scenarios we want. Other teams don't give you that, they want to control, play in your half. I want to be on the opposition's half, creating chances," he said.
"I think you have the advantage that you saw me for three years in the Premier League. Some know me better, but the people involved in football, they will know what we try to do. I understand this is Liverpool FC, we have to change some things, even tactically, but if they sign me it's because they want a lot of things I was doing at other clubs. So I don't want to change the DNA of my teams on the pitch. I try to be as natural as possible."
Challenge of European football and squad depth
When asked about the increased workload at Liverpool compared to Bournemouth, who were not competing in Europe, Iraola acknowledged the challenge ahead.
"I think it's a big challenge for me and a big change. Most weeks we have a midweek game, a great opportunity for the players. I loved these seasons as a player, playing a lot. A chance to use more players also, because it's impossible to deal with it with just a few players, we need the whole squad. Injuries will happen, we have to get ready in terms of squad depth," he said.
"We can go through those months, December, January, they are very hard. We have to arrive with those situations."
