Andoni Iraola makes thoughts clear on Arne Slot after replacing him at Liverpool | Football | Sport

Andoni Iraola is already well acquainted with the Europa League, and he is fully aware that he has Arne Slot to thank for the opportunity to compete at the level above for the first time in his managerial career. Following Liverpool’s dismal campaign, which ended in a fifth-place finish and Slot’s sacking last weekend, the departing manager was keen to emphasise that, despite the turbulence, he had still navigated the Reds through troubled waters and back into the Champions League.

In an open letter to the Liverpool ECHO on Monday, Slot – who had expected to remain in his role until being informed of his sacking last Saturday morning – described a top-five finish as “an important responsibility and one that ensures Liverpool can continue competing at the highest level next season and beyond.”

In other words, it was bad, but it could have been considerably worse. As he settles into Slot’s former role, the incoming Iraola is thankful to be embarking on his new position among Europe’s elite.

“Massive respect for Arne, massive respect,” said the new head coach. “He’s been a Premier League champion and this is something that is massive, especially for a club like Liverpool.

“The Champions League, I had the chance to play it just once as a player. We used to qualify a lot for the Europa League [as a player at Athletic Bilbao] but the Champions League, I’ve only played it once and I’m looking forward to play [it for the] first time as a coach. Big demands, also big chances to face the best teams in Europe and see where we are.”

That burning ambition to pit himself against Europe’s elite is another key reason Iraola has been drawn to the Liverpool role, with the former Bournemouth manager putting pen to paper on a two-year deal on Thursday.

Iraola opts for such short-term contracts because he believes they keep him driven to continually improve – something he undoubtedly achieved throughout his three seasons at Bournemouth.

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The Spanish tactician earned widespread admiration for his side’s attractive brand of football on the south coast, nurturing the talents of Antoine Semenyo, Dean Huijsen, Iliya Zabarnyi and Liverpool’s Milos Kerkez before offloading them for substantial fees.

Iraola would regularly study Liverpool as part of his preparations with the Cherries, and he is now relishing the opportunity to take charge at Anfield.

“For me, it’s much easier to continue in the Premier League in terms of knowing the squad,” he added in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com.

“We’ve analysed Liverpool a lot – possible weaknesses, the strengths. I think we have a very good squad. I think there is still work to do, like normally in every club in this moment of the season. But right now, for me the thing is to value especially the players that we have right now in the squad.

“For me, and I will tell them, [they] are all new signings. For me, you are all new signings and I think we have a lot of quality in our squad, and [I’m] really looking forward to working with them.

“I only had, I think, Milos in the squad before – I know a couple, I’ve been talking to a couple before – but it will be lovely also to play again with Milos, try to improve him, try to help him in his development. Yeah, definitely looking forward to it.”