Andoni Iraola took over from Arne Slot at Liverpool last week, and he has long known the Spanish former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is now in charge of Chelsea
15:23, 10 Jun 2026Updated 15:23, 10 Jun 2026
Andoni Iraola is the new manager of Liverpool FC.
Andoni Iraola is the new manager of Liverpool FC.(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has revealed that he spoke about the Reds with Xabi Alonso well before taking over from Arne Slot.
Iraola also played with the former Liverpool youngster Mikel San Jose during his time with Athletic Club, and comes from the same region as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who has also risen to the top in recent seasons, culminating in a title win in the season just gone.
The north of Spain has proven to be a breeding ground for lots of top coaches in recent years, with Iraola, Alonso and Arteta now all in top Premier League jobs.
"Liverpool has always had a lot of Spanish players; in our years there was always a lot of talk about how the club was," Iraola said on a video released by the Reds.
"I had a couple of friends who played here, obviously Xabi, and even Mikel San Jose, who was my teammate; he was here in the academy for a lot of years.
"You can remember a lot of magic moments, and now this is a privilege to be able to, hopefully, experience them."
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - JULY 24: Head Coaches Mikel Arteta of Arsenal and Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth after their sides 1-1 draw during Arsenal v AFC Bournemouth pre-season friendly at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola played alongside Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso as a youngster(Image: Getty Images)
"It's incredible because when we were seven, eight, nine, I played with Mikel Arteta, I played with Xabi Alonso," Iraola explained to BBC Sport in September 2025.
"We are more or less the same age, playing sometimes against each other because I was in a school and they were in other schools when we were playing on the beach.
"Then after we played together in a small club, also in Antiguoko, and now it's amazing that we see each other on the football pitches almost 40 years later."
Iraola had also previously been asked why he thought so many coaches came from the Basque region.
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"I think there's a big football culture there," he said. "Also, the work rate is guaranteed. We are typically hard workers — not just football-wise. We are used to working hard, and we have discipline.
"These are things that, as a manager, are valuable. But, in the end, this is a small part. From there, you have to be willing to improve every day, and be willing to prove yourself every day."
Liverpool.com says: Iraola has a lot to prove with the Reds, but he is the chosen one to take over from Arne Slot. Liverpool never wanted to move for Alonso, with the former Bournemouth boss very highly rated and trusted to implement a more intense style of play.