Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has backed Andoni Iraola to succeed at Anfield, citing the new head coach's Premier League experience as a key advantage. Iraola was appointed last month after Arne Slot was sacked, despite leading the club to a record-equalling 20th league title just 12 months earlier.
Benitez Confident in Iraola's Style
Benitez, who managed Liverpool from 2004 to 2010, is the second Spaniard to take the helm. The 66-year-old believes Iraola's attacking philosophy will win over supporters. "Iraola has done really well obviously in Bournemouth as you have seen," Benitez told Sky Sports. "But then we were following him when he was in Rayo Vallecano. One of the members of my staff was watching him training and he told me after that he liked it because he (Iraola) was involved, he's trying to do things on the pitch all the time."
Bournemouth's success under Iraola, including a top-half finish, has impressed Benitez. "Bournemouth has done really well and now he has a different challenge," he added.
Advantage of Knowing the League
Benitez highlighted the difficulty of adapting to English football. "It's (Liverpool) a massive club. But I think he has an advantage - he knows the league. That is not easy. At the beginning when we arrived to the Premier League, it was totally different. But he knows the league."
The former Liverpool boss expects strong fan support. "The fans will be very supportive, for sure. The way that he wants to play, I think they like that. And I think he has great possibilities to do well."
New Era at Anfield
Iraola's appointment marks a new chapter for Liverpool, following a turbulent period that saw Michael Edwards quit his FSG role and speculation around Richard Hughes. The club is also seeking a replacement for Mohamed Salah, with a transfer target described as having "enormous potential".
