Liverpool supporters should not forget about the candidacy of Andoni Iraola to become their next manager if Arne Slot is relieved of his duties.
The Basque is out of contract at Bournemouth this summer, and is likely to be in the mix for bigger jobs after another impressive campaign on the South Coast.
The Cherries set themselves a Premier League record on Saturday after making it 12 unbeaten for the first time ever in the top division, and did so in eye-catching fashion, going to the Emirates and swatting Arsenal aside with a 2-1 win.
With Liverpool still potentially on the lookout for a new manager, Iraola’s success in North London underlined what a good candidate he is.
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Jeremie Frimpong takes throw-in for Liverpool in front of Arne Slot
Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images
Iraola would be an exciting choice for Liverpool
When rumours first emerged that Slot could be sacked by Liverpool, Iraola’s name was floated as a potential replacement, but a subsequent winless run with Bournemouth counted him out of the running in the eyes of many.
But the 43-year-old has since bitten back, and the nature of his team’s victory at the Emirates should single him out as a genuine contender at Liverpool.
While the rest of the Premier League continue to go down the set-piece, rough and tumble route, Iraola has his team playing football which Jurgen Klopp would be proud of.
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High press and high intensity, it might not be ‘heavy metal football’, but it is rock and roll and the very least.
“They were outstanding,” Danny Murphy said of Bournemouth’s win over Arsenal on Match of the Day.
Arsenal v Bournemouth - Premier League
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
“Collectively, individually, with the ball brave, high in quality, committing men forward. Without the ball they were tenacious, they went after them all over the pitch. They are so well coached. The tactical plan was perfect. Fitness levels, discipline, every aspect.”
Truly, Iraola appears to have turned his team into everything Slot’s Liverpool are not. This is the kind of football fans at Anfield want to see, and with the Cherries boss seemingly available, he may be an even smarter pick than his Basque colleague Xabi Alonso.
Could Iraola really be in with a chance?
Along with looking like a perfect tactical fit for Liverpool, Iraola also has the benefit of knowing Reds’ sporting director Richard Hughes extremely well.
Hughes was the man who hired Iraola at Bournemouth, meaning the Scotsman is very evidently a fan.
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Arne Slot reacts with frustration during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg match against Galatasaray at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine
There are potential negatives to consider, one being that Iraola has never managed at a top club and would be making a big jump from the Vitality Stadium to Anfield. Ultimately, this may be what ends up counting against him.
Nevertheless, after excelling with Rayo Vallecano and now Bournemouth, Iraola deserves the chance to translate his style of football with a better quality group of players. The results could be amazing.
The biggest question mark here is obviously over whether Liverpool are even looking for a new manager next season, but if Slot does go, Iraola’s continued body of work in the Premier League makes him, in the eyes of Rousing The Kop at least, a genuine contender.
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