Andoni Iraola has made it clear he will not abandon his principles as Liverpool head coach, stressing that the club hired him for his distinctive style. Speaking during his first week at the AXA Training Centre, the Spaniard emphasized the importance of a front-footed, aggressive approach after predecessor Arne Slot was sacked following criticism of the team's performances.
Iraola's Philosophy Non-Negotiable
Iraola, who spent three years at Bournemouth and led them to European qualification for the first time last season, said: "If they have signed me then there has to be a reason behind it and one of the most important ones was the style of play. I cannot arrive here and then start changing everything and becoming a team that especially I don't feel."
He added: "I have a very clear idea of what I want to do with the team, to what direction we have to go." The 43-year-old was appointed last month with the brief of producing an urgent, high-intensity style that reconnects with the fanbase.
Rebuilding the Anfield Connection
Iraola acknowledged the strained relationship between players and supporters during a difficult last campaign, which saw jeers at games and abuse on social media. He believes the onus is on the squad to rebuild trust through performance.
"I think in our case, I want to connect a little bit with the supporters, with Anfield," he told Stan Sport of Australia. "I think we have a massive advantage in terms of the atmosphere we can create playing at home, also away but especially at home. I would like to build into and try to create a football team that connects with the people who are watching."
Players Must Lead the Way
Iraola stressed that the connection must start on the pitch. "But it has to start from the pitch. We have to be a team that they can be proud of in terms of intensity, fight, of winning your duels, I think that's what people demand. It's what I see from the outside and the time I've been here it's what people are demanding."
The head coach concluded: "So we have to be almost perfect in those departments. We have to create this connection where I feel we are going to be difficult to stop."
