Andoni Iraola made a strong first impression with Liverpool supporters during his first interview after he explained why he is excited about the prospect of senior players featuring at this summer's World Cup.
On Thursday night, Iraola was officially announced as the successor to Arne Slot, who was sacked just a year after winning the Premier League.
A press release from Liverpool mentioned the Spaniard's three-year spell at Bournemouth, where he recently led them into Europe for the first time in their history following a sixth-placed finish in the league.
Speaking about his ambitions going forward, Iraola mentioned getting the chance to coach top players who "give you the chance to win titles".
But for many supporters, it was the 43-year-old's comments about working with young players and returning loanees at the start of pre-season that filled them with optimism about what the future could hold.
Asked about Liverpool's mid-World Cup pre-season, which will see several first-team players feature at the tournament in North America, he spoke about getting the opportunity to look elsewhere.
"It gives us the chance to know them better," he said, referring to young players and returning loanees. "They will be an important part of the American tour. It works very well."
Iraola in his first interview saying he's excited about senior players being at the World Cup because it means he gets a chance to work with the young players at the start of pre-season. I love him already.
— barry (@BackseatsmanLFC) June 4, 2026
Fans react to Andoni Iraola's comments in his first interview as Liverpool head coach
Many supporters found Iraola's desire to work alongside youth refreshing.
One fan wrote: "A manager who sees the World Cup as an opportunity rather than an inconvenience. We are not used to this," and a second commented: "He gets it already."
A third said: "Just compare this to Slot, man. The difference between them is night and day and we’ve only had one interview," while a fourth wrote: "I couldn't be more excited for this man to be at our club."
A fifth added: "Leoni, Jacquet, Chambers, Beck, Bajcetic, Nyoni, Elliott, Rio, Danns, Wright. All getting to show their worth in pre-season is so so exciting."
Andoni Iraola’s first interview as boss👇 pic.twitter.com/rdd99CplBa
— Anfield Papers (@AnfieldPapers) June 4, 2026
What else did Andoni Iraola say in his first interview?
In the sit-down interview with Liverpool's official YouTube channel, Iraola spoke about the importance of hitting the ground running.
“At the beginning when you arrive at any club, I think you need to kind of prove a little bit yourself. You need to earn the right also to belong. I want to do this as quickly as possible so I can also celebrate with them and I can be part properly of those celebrations.
“For me, football is about emotions. About passion. I’m quite cool-headed probably, during my life quite rational, I would say. But it’s true that when the game starts, when you have to celebrate a goal, something is inside, no?
“I think this inner energy, you need it as a player, you need it as a supporter, you need it as a coach. No better place than Anfield.”