"We will try to choke the opponent": Is Andoni Iraola the man to set Liverpool on a new path?

After a disappointing season that ended in a parting with Arne Slot, Liverpool fans were counting the moments until Xabi Alonso's return to the club, this time as a coach — at least according to most reports that accompanied the Dutchman's final days at Anfield. But after the Real Madrid coach surprisingly signed with Chelsea, the Reds had to settle for his Basque friend from the San Sebastian youth team — Andoni Iraola.

Liverpool insisted that, despite the reports, Alonso was never a real option, and the search for the right coach led them to Iraola. While his two years at Bournemouth brought him prestige, he now faces the biggest challenge of his career: returning one of the world's biggest teams to the fight for all titles.

Unlike many coaches who arrived at Anfield with a trophy-laden resume, Iraola built himself from the bottom. He never coached a major club before Liverpool, but at every station, he managed to leave a mark. From the perspective of Liverpool's management, this is exactly what they were looking for: a coach who improves teams, develops players, and implements a clear, intense style of play.

Born in June 1982 in Usurbil, Basque Country, he joined the Athletic Bilbao youth academy after playing in a San Sebastian youth team alongside Alonso and Mikel Arteta. For over a decade, he was a symbol of the club, making 510 appearances and becoming one of Spain's best right-backs. He finished his playing career at New York City (MLS) in 2016.

Even as a player, he analyzed tactics, and his biggest influence was Marcelo Bielsa. The Argentine coach shaped Iraola's football perception: relentless pressure, direct play, high pace, and intensive work off the ball. Many still identify Bielsa's fingerprints in Iraola's teams.

His coaching path was not smooth. After a short stint at AEK Larnaca, Iraola returned to Spain to coach Mirandes in the second division, leading them to a sensational King's Cup semi-final run. In 2020, he took over Rayo Vallecano, promoting them to the first division in one season and surprising the league by beating Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla.

The real breakthrough came in the Premier League. In 2023, he was appointed coach of Bournemouth. Despite a difficult start, he insisted on his principles. Bournemouth became one of the league's surprises, finishing 12th, 9th, and 6th, qualifying for European competition for the first time in their history.

What is special about Iraola's football? His teams press high, play at a dizzying pace, and try to recover the ball within seconds of losing it. Full-backs join almost every attack, and wingers press constantly. At his presentation as Liverpool coach, he stated:

"I want my team to be energetic. I want us to be dynamic, play as much as possible in the opponent's half — sometimes with the ball and sometimes without it — and try to choke the opponent."

Milos Kerkez, who played under him at Bournemouth and is now at Liverpool, called him the "perfect coach" for the club. "The training sessions are just fun," said Florian Wirtz during the team's US tour. "I enjoyed every session. We play a lot of small-sided games and work on possession — it's exactly the style I like."

Now, a different test awaits. At Bournemouth, success was a bonus; at Liverpool, where a championship is an expectation, every loss becomes a headline. Iraola must deal with squad issues, injuries, and the integration of new signings while implementing his system. Whether the coach who turned Mirandes, Rayo Vallecano, and Bournemouth into success stories can take the biggest step of all and return Liverpool to the top remains to be seen.