Liverpool new head coach Andoni Iraola has officially been unveiled as the Reds’ new manager, ushering in a new era at Anfield following the departure of Arne Slot.
Slot’s exit did not come as a major surprise to many supporters, with a significant section of the fanbase believing the club had begun to drift away from the standards established by legendary former manager Jürgen Klopp.
While Slot guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season, many felt that success was largely built on the tactical foundations and squad structure left behind by the German.
His second campaign told a different story. Despite opening the season with five consecutive league victories, Liverpool’s form gradually deteriorated as a combination of questionable decisions on and off the pitch took its toll.
The Reds eventually scraped into the Champions League places after a disappointing run-in, finishing the season with just one win from their final five league matches.
They also suffered 12 Premier League defeats and conceded 53 goals – numbers that highlighted the growing concerns surrounding Slot’s tenure.
1) Liverpool New Head Coach Andoni Iraola Was Never the Fans’ First Choice
Despite being heavily linked with Xabi Alonso during a period when Arne Slot’s future as Liverpool’s head coach was under intense scrutiny, reports suggested the Reds hierarchy remained confident in his ability to steer the club through a difficult spell.
However, that faith appeared to diminish rapidly as results and performances continued to decline.
In the end, Alonso took up the role of Chelsea’s manager, leaving Liverpool to turn their attention elsewhere. The Merseyside club eventually appointed Bournemouth’s former coach Andoni Iraola, but his arrival has not been met with universal enthusiasm.
While many supporters are willing to give the Spaniard time to prove himself, a sizeable section of the fanbase feel he was never their main target and remain unconvinced that he is the right man to lead Liverpool into its next chapter.
2) From Bournemouth to Liverpool: The Doubts Surrounding Andoni Iraola’s Appointment
Iraola’s appointment as Liverpool coach represents the biggest step of the Spaniard’s managerial career to date.
While he earned widespread praise for guiding Bournemouth to a historic sixth-place finish and securing European qualification, questions remain over whether he is ready for the demands and expectations that come with managing one of Europe’s elite clubs.
A major source of concern among supporters is that, despite his impressive work, he has yet to manage at the highest level or win a major trophy. As a result, a high percentage of the Liverpool fanbase is approaching the new season with a degree of caution rather than outright excitement.
Iraola’s managerial career has taken him from AEK Larnaca to CD Mirandés, Rayo Vallecano, and Bournemouth before earning his move to Anfield. It is a remarkable rise, but one that also carries an element of uncertainty.
Liverpool supporters can point to several examples of highly-rated managers who excelled at mid-table clubs before struggling when handed the reins at one of the Premier League’s giants.
David Moyes found the transition from Everton to Manchester United difficult, Nuno Espírito Santo failed to replicate his Wolves success at Tottenham, while Graham Potter’s promising work at Brighton did not translate into success at Chelsea. More recently, Thomas Frank’s move from Brentford to Tottenham has also been met with mixed results.
With those examples still fresh in the minds of football fans, it is understandable why some Liverpool supporters remain hesitant to fully buy into the club’s latest appointment.
Andoni Iraola may ultimately prove to be the right choice, but for many, trust will have to be earned through results rather than reputation.
3) A Major Concern for Liverpool Fans: Andoni Iraola’s Set-Piece Record
One of the biggest concerns surrounding the new Liverpool coach stems from Bournemouth’s struggles defending set-pieces during the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The Cherries finished the campaign with one of the league’s poorest records when it came to defending dead-ball situations, alongside relegated West Ham United.
Out of the 52 goals they conceded throughout the season, 17 came directly from set-pieces, meaning almost a third of all goals allowed by Iraola’s side originated from corners, free-kicks, and other dead-ball scenarios.
The Spaniard has previously acknowledged the issue himself. Speaking in a press conference, he admitted that his team was particularly vulnerable in aerial situations because they were “a short team.”
That weakness was largely a consequence of his footballing philosophy. Iraola’s system is built around intensity, mobility, and rapid transitions, requiring players capable of pressing aggressively and covering large distances at high speed.
In assembling a squad suited to that approach, physical height and aerial dominance were often sacrificed in favour of athleticism and technical quality.
As a result, Bournemouth frequently struggled when matches became physical contests in the penalty area. During corners and set-piece situations, opponents were often able to exploit their lack of height and win crucial aerial duels.
However, not all of the responsibility should fall on the new Liverpool boss. Unlike some Premier League clubs that employ specialist set-piece coaches, Bournemouth operated under a more collective coaching structure, with responsibility for attacking and defensive dead-ball situations shared among members of the coaching staff rather than delegated to a dedicated specialist.
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4) Andoni Iraola’s Short Liverpool Contract Sends a Clear Message
The announcement of the former Bournemouth manager brought with it an unexpected detail that quickly caught the attention of supporters.
Iraola’s contract at Liverpool is reportedly set to run for just two years, a length that many fans have interpreted as a sign of uncertainty rather than long-term commitment.
In modern football, especially at elite Premier League clubs, managers are often handed contracts spanning four years or more as a demonstration of trust and a commitment to a long-term project. By contrast, the relatively short duration of Iraola’s deal has raised questions among sections of the fanbase.
For some supporters, Liverpool’s appointment of Iraola feels less like the beginning of a new era and more like an extended assessment period.
The perception is that the club’s hierarchy wants to evaluate what the Spaniard can achieve over the next two seasons before deciding whether he is the right man to lead the club into the future.
While a shorter contract does offer flexibility for both parties, it has also contributed to the sense of caution surrounding the appointment, with many fans viewing it as evidence that even the club itself is not yet fully committed to a long-term vision under Iraola.
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Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
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