Liverpool is edging closer to appointing Andoni Iraola as the club's next head coach after firing Arne Slot over the weekend, with Xabi Alonso heading to Chelsea
17:40, 02 Jun 2026
Jamie Carragher has offered his opinion
Jamie Carragher has offered his opinion(Image: The Overlap)
Jamie Carragher has questioned why Liverpool failed to appoint Xabi Alonso to replace Arne Slot.
The Reds stunned the soccer world on Saturday by firing Slot after two seasons in charge. The Dutchman achieved success during his first year at Anfield, winning the Premier League title, but could only manage a fifth-place finish during his second.
Yet what's surprising is the timing of Slot's dismissal. Reds icon Alonso was viewed as a potential successor for Slot after his exit from Real Madrid in January, but he ended up agreeing to become the new boss of Chelsea, one of Liverpool's main rivals, last month.
Alonso's decision, along with Fenway Sports Group's reported willingness to stick with Slot, suggested the latter would remain as Liverpool boss heading into the new campaign. Yet FSG eventually decided to move in a different direction following a post-season review.
It now appears that Andoni Iraola will be the new Liverpool head coach, having previously worked with the club's sporting director, Richard Hughes, at Bournemouth.
Carragher is perplexed as to why Hughes and his colleagues didn't swoop for Alonso if they knew firing Slot was a possibility.
Andoni Iraola is the favorite to replace Arne Slot
Andoni Iraola is the favorite to replace Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking on The Overlap, Liverpool legend Carragher said: "I would have changed him (Slot) for Xabi Alonso. As soon as he went to Chelsea, I was thinking that I would keep Slot.
"When I was thinking about Alonso, it was also because he got the best out of Florian Wirtz. If you were going to change it, why was it not for Alonso?
"With Alonso, you have an incredible playing CV, the managers he has been coached by. What he did at Leverkusen. He has managed Real Madrid. I know it didn't go well, but he is used to that pressure and scrutiny."
Alonso is regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, having played for the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. He won several trophies during his career, including the Champions League twice, the Euros twice and the World Cup.
Alonso has continued to achieve success in management, leading Bayer Leverkusen to its first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024. The Spaniard joined Real Madrid a year ago but was fired after just 34 games in charge.
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Despite his early exit from Madrid, Alonso has the experience of playing alongside and coaching some of the best players on the planet. Iraola is less experienced in this regard, having previously coached the likes of Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth.
While Iraola has consistently overachieved in management, Carragher is worried about his lack of experience coaching at the highest level. He's also worried that Iraola will not have the players to deploy a pressing style at Anfield, should he get the job.
Carragher continued: "If Liverpool chose Iraola over Alonso, it is very worrying for Liverpool. If it is because Alonso wants to play a back three, or his style of play, fair enough. But I am not sure Liverpool has the players to play Iraola's high-pressing game."