Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam noticed some ‘clues’ that Andoni Iraola might have been holding out for the Liverpool head coach vacancy for which he now seems destined.
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Just a few days after his final game at Bournemouth, the 43-year-old was immediately installed as the favourite to take over from Arne Slot following the Dutchman’s sacking, and he’s now understood to have reached a ‘verbal agreement‘ with the Anfield hierarchy.
The Spaniard had reportedly been in talks with AC Milan not so long ago and was also admired by Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen, but it now seems all but certain that he’s bound for Merseyside.
McAdam noticed Iraola ‘clues’ in recent days
Speaking on Sky Sports News on Wednesday afternon, McAdam suggested that Iraola’s reluctance to engage with other clubs (along with that of his assistant Tommy Elphick) hinted at a desire to ultimately hold out for the Liverpool job.
The reporter said: “Look at the clues – you mentioned AC Milan, Leverkusen and Palace. When you start to hear him turning down Milan, and then he’s stalling on potentially agreeing a deal with Leverkusen – and Tommy Elphick, his number two at Bournemouth saying no to Bristol City – the clues were there that something was in the offing, that something was bubbling in the background.
“We perhaps didn’t expect it to be Liverpool, but what a huge challenge for someone who I’ve been lucky enough to work with over the last three years and watch at close quarters. I’ve been hugely impressed with what he’s done.”
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Iraola was seemingly holding out for Liverpool
Perhaps Iraola knew privately that FSG were about to dispense with Slot before the news was made official and duly held firm in the knowledge that the Anfield vacancy would come his way.
The other clubs who’d seemingly wanted him all carry plenty of prestige or promise – Milan are seven-time European champions, and Palace are riding the crest of a wave after consecutive trophy-winning seasons – but ultimately nothing was going to deter him from the Liverpool job.
As McAdam referenced and other pundits have mentioned, the 43-year-old is about to take on his biggest challenge yet, going from clubs who overachieved on modest budgets to one which is expected to compete for major silverware and has a global fan base with high expectations.
However, Iraola wouldn’t have been offered the gig at Anfield if FSG didn’t deem him capable of upholding the elite standards which come with taking charge of this club.
Hopefully his impending appointment will be made official in the coming days and we can properly start looking forward to the impact he can make as Slot’s successor on Merseyside.
Why did Iraola announce in April just after Bournemouth beat arsenal that he was leaving Bournemouth. You don’t just Quit a premier league team without knowing that he had a top job lined up.
Bournemouth offered a new contract, Iraola refused because he was guaranteed the Liverpool job.
FSG stringed Arne slot along , pretending to be giving him another season in charge.
Richard Hughes has got what he wanted, working above a coach that he was with at Bournemouth.
A new coach takes all the pressure from Edwards and Hughes. And all the mistakes they made last summer.
The complete drivel of a statement that FSG gave as they sacked slot giving him praise and platitudes was false. FSG gave the job to Iraola in April.
Slot has been thrown under the bus as Edwards and Hughes keep their jobs.
It all stinks of betrayal and deceit.
Jamie carragher voiced blunt view on GOD LIKE SPORTING DIRECTORS, I’M SICK OF THEM .
Carragher voiced his doubts about the recruitment teams worth. With klopp the true mastermind behind it all. I’m SICK of these directors of football.
The people at the top , especially Michael Edwards, he was there under Brendan Rodgers, and it wasn’t great.
Everyone talks about them Edwards Hughes, they are talked about as gods.
As soon as klopp goes it seems to drop off again, so i mean, is Jurgen klopp the star. That’s what it looks like.
Interesting from carragher.
The recruitment under Rodgers from Edwards was terrible. Benteke, Ricky Lambert, Balotelli, markovic , Allberto , Aspas, Moreno, Joe Allen.
290 million spent. You can certainly see parallels between Rodgers and slot. Mistakes by Edwards and it gets the manager sacked.
Chelsea have finally come to their senses , no more coaches where people under do the recruitment.
Alonso total power who decides who to sell and buy.
A manager, and that’s what we need at Liverpool.
Not a coach with his hands tied behind his back.
Iraola will have his hands tied behind his back.
All the big, important decisions made by Edwards and Hughes.
Michael Edwards now has played his part in sacking two Liverpool coaches. Rodgers and slot.
Why is he still at Liverpool football club?
Go and ask charlatan owners FSG. Part time owners.
Slot was already under tremendous pressure in April and fans already started showing their unhappiness. Fsg being businessman and hughes have played slot out. But nonetheless, slot is not suitable for the job and we need a fresh breath of air here.