Iraola's Trophy Record Under Scrutiny
Andoni Iraola's appointment as Liverpool head coach earlier this month raised questions due to his lack of silverware. Aside from a Cypriot Super Cup in 2018 with AEK Larnaca, he has never led a team to a major trophy. His predecessors, Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, arrived with Bundesliga and Eredivisie titles respectively.
Glen Johnson Defends Context
Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson told the ECHO: "'Success' can't be measured with same common denominator all the time. Success at Manchester City and Liverpool, it's trophies. But if you're taking a club who have been in and out of the Premier League and only a mainstay for the last few years and then you take them to the brink of Champions League qualification - then that has to be considered a success."
Premier League Trophy Distribution
Since 2016-17, five coaches have won the Premier League: Antonio Conte, Pep Guardiola, Klopp, Slot, and Mikel Arteta. Only Guardiola has won it more than once. Klopp's 97 and 92-point seasons were bettered by Guardiola's record-breaking sides. The upcoming season sees new managers at City (Enzo Maresca), Chelsea (Xabi Alonso), Manchester United (Michael Carrick), and Liverpool (Iraola).
Narrow Definition of Success
Johnson added: "I'm initially upbeat. I think the style of his play and the way he sets the side up - I am sure he'll have changes but with a better side and better individuals [Liverpool will improve]." He noted that only eight clubs have won the last 30 major English trophies (Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup), with Crystal Palace, Leicester City, and Newcastle United as exceptions. The biggest trophies are increasingly won by the biggest clubs.
Iraola's Bournemouth Achievements
Liverpool were impressed by Iraola's development of young forwards and aggressive style at Bournemouth. Bournemouth's revenue was £181.7m for the period ending June 2025, compared to Liverpool's £703m. Despite the smallest Premier League stadium (12,357 capacity), Bournemouth finished one place behind Liverpool last season, even after selling key players like Dean Huijsen, Antoine Semenyo, and Milos Kerkez.
Johnson concluded: "This idea of 'success' has to be judged on the club's possibilities at that time and what is realistic. They have one of the smallest stadiums in the league, so there is a lot of revenue they are missing out on. So I think Iraola has done a great job."
