Sean Dyche has described Andoni Iraola‘s style as “lower league football, but a very high-quality version” – the ex-Everton boss admitting he “marvelled at it.”
Iraola was appointed as Arne Slot‘s replacement with summer as Liverpool sought to restore the attractive, high-intensity brand of football fans demand.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, Dyche interestingly labelled the Spaniard’s brand of football as “lower-league football,” insisting it was a compliment.
“I said this last year about Iraola, he basically plays lower-league football, but a very high-quality version,” he said.
“He turns you, they get after it; he turns you, they get after it. And they keep absolutely turning you and turning you, almost forcing you into submission.
“High-energy, high-quality version.
“I said last year, that’s a big compliment. People think ‘oh Dyche, why’s he saying that?’, I’m just telling you what I know after years of football.”
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola (R) speaks to Curtis Jones during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola (R) speaks to Curtis Jones during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Dyche’s praise for Iraola came with a comparison to Jurgen Klopp‘s brand of football, with both coaches looking to force and capitalise on turnovers in possession.
In five meetings with Iraola’s Bournemouth, Dyche only managed one victory, that being in their first clash as Everton ran out 3-0 winners – and the 55-year-old believes what came next demonstrates the Liverpool head coach’s talent.
“I marvelled at it,” Dyche, who is currently out of work after leaving Nottingham Forest in February, continued.
“We ran all over them at Everton, because he was trying to play what you’d imagine is the Spanish way, tiki taka. We ran all over them.
“The next time we played them, I think this is brilliant management, you can tell he went ‘this ain’t going to work’.
“So the next time we played them, he’s bombing it down our throats, getting us to turn, full-backs keep turning running back towards their own goal, centre-halves feel like ‘oh, we’ll never get a break’.
“They looked a different outfit and he’s done a brilliant job.”
While the term “lower-league football” may be seen as criticism, Dyche’s explanation certainly bears weight – and should only increase the excitement around Iraola’s start to life at Liverpool.
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Andoni Iraola, New York FI