Andoni Iraola has revealed conversations with Xabi Alonso while they were still players about the “magic moments” he can now expect as Liverpool head coach.
Despite the clamour for Alonso to replace Arne Slot as head coach, Iraola was the club’s No. 1 choice to take over this summer.
It means three of the top jobs in the Premier League next season will be filled by former team-mates at Spanish amateur side Antiguoko: Iraola at Liverpool, Alonso at Chelsea and Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
Iraola also played alongside Alonso for the Spain national team while the midfielder was part of Rafa Benitez‘s squad.
Speaking during his first trip to Anfield after signing as head coach, Iraola revealed the conversations he had with Alonso and former Liverpool youngster Mikel San Jose, who he played with at Athletic Club.
“Liverpool has always had a lot of Spanish players, in our years there was always a lot of talk about how the club was,” he said.
“I had a couple of friends who played here, obviously Xabi, even Mikel San Jose who was my team-mate, he was here in the academy for a lot of years.
“You can remember a lot of magic moments and now this is a privilege to be able to, hopefully, experience them.”
Iraola has already visited Anfield three times as a manager, including for his Bournemouth side’s 4-2 defeat on the opening day of last season.
But though he has experienced the atmosphere up close, it will be a different when he is in the dugout as Liverpool head coach.
“Even in an empty stadium, you can imagine a lot of things here. There are no people, but you can imagine this place bouncing,” he reflected.
“You feel the responsibility, but also the excitement of being part of all of us.
“Like I said before, in the beginning it is a matter of knowing each other, especially from my side – not to prove myself, but to show that I belong here – so we can all enjoy it together.
“I consider myself one of the people who is here watching our games.”
He continued: “It’s going to be a long month until we can start training!
“You absorb all the energy this place has, even without people. I think this place will for sure help us, yes.”
