New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has detailed his blueprint for restoring the club's identity, emphasizing teamwork, a strong sense of belonging, and faith in young players. In his first extensive interview since taking over, Iraola highlighted the influence of his Basque Country roots, particularly his experience at Athletic Bilbao, as foundational to his coaching philosophy.
Iraola, now in his second month with Liverpool, believes the club shares a similar ethos with Athletic Bilbao, characterized by an "unwavering, indefatigable sense of identity" and an "us-against-them mentality." He noted that while Liverpool is one of the world's biggest clubs and a direct comparison to Athletic may not be entirely fair, many underlying principles align. This includes fostering a strong connection with academy players and nurturing a sense of collective spirit.
"People ask me a lot why a lot of Basque managers especially have arrived to this level and why a lot of Spanish teams are winning a lot of things," Iraola said. "I always say that a sense of collectiveness is very important. Spain has never had the best athletes. But in collective sports they are very good."
He cited Rodri's performance in Spain's World Cup victory as an example of prioritizing the team, even when individual statistics are not prominent. This philosophy, Iraola explained, extends beyond football into societal values, where prioritizing the collective good and supporting those with less is crucial.
Iraola, who previously managed Bournemouth, has already immersed himself in the Liverpool culture, foregoing a summer holiday to focus on settling his family and exploring the city. He sees potential for cycling routes in Merseyside, drawing parallels to his time in Dorset.
His belief in promoting from within is deeply rooted in his time at Athletic Club, where a strict policy of only fielding players with Basque heritage necessitates maximizing the potential of every squad member. This approach, he argued, fosters a strong connection and commitment from players, contributing to the club's consistent performance and lack of relegation.
Reflecting on his influences, Iraola named Ernesto Valverde, his former manager at Athletic Bilbao and a twice-time La Liga winner with Barcelona, as his primary inspiration. Valverde, who also managed Liverpool, is credited by Iraola for his common sense, ability to understand players, and firm yet fair approach.
Iraola acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly in re-establishing the connection between the fans and the team, which he felt waned during the previous season. He aims to instill a style of play that supporters can identify with, one that involves hard work, pressing, and fighting until the last minute.
"The supporters have to feel identified with what they see on the pitch," he stated. "When they see this from the players of their team it's easier to get behind that team. I will encourage my team to give them these things."
The manager's primary focus is on performance and delivering good results, believing that a team embodying hard work and resilience will ultimately be successful. Liverpool is currently in Chicago for a pre-season tour of the United States, with upcoming matches scheduled against Sunderland, Wrexham, and Leeds United.
