Liverpool are set to confirm that Andoni Iraola will become their new manager for the 2026/27 season.
Iraola is signing a two-year contract at Anfield, with the Spaniard himself actually asking for a shorter deal.
His appointment at Liverpool comes on the back of taking Bournemouth into the Europa League and finishing just behind the Reds in sixth last term, yet Paul Merson still has doubts about the manager making the step up to a bigger club.
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Step up to Liverpool will be difficult for Andoni Iraola
Speaking on The Sports Agents podcast this week, the former Arsenal and Middlesbrough player said: “I do find it strange, Iraola. I’m a big fan of his, don’t get me wrong, but he was managing at Bournemouth. It’s difficult.
“We see so many managers, don’t we, that come from no disrespect to them, from a lesser team and then go and try and manage one of the big boys. And it’s hard. The expectation is difficult.
“And I know he went 19 games unbeaten, which is unbelievable what he’d done, but a lot of them were draws and draws won’t be good enough at Liverpool next season. They’ve got to win, win, win. And he’s a quiet sort of manager, doesn’t really do loads and loads of interviews.
“And that will all change now. He’s managing one of the biggest clubs in the world of football. So if he gets, you know, I hope he does well because I do like him and I like Liverpool, but it’s going to be a big ask.”
Merson does have a point to some extent, as managers who perform at ‘smaller’ clubs can often struggle when stepping up to a big six team.
David Moyes to Manchester United is a great historical example, while in more recent times, we saw how badly Thomas Frank’s stint with Tottenham Hotspur went after he spent many years doing well with Brentford.
Iraola, especially after how badly Liverpool ended 2025/26 under Slot, needs to hit the ground running at Anfield to ensure fans do not turn on him within the first few months.
Jamie Carragher has already raised concerns about a few Reds players performing under their new manager, suggesting the likes of Alexander Isak won’t suit his high pressing style.
He said: “My thing is now Isak, Wirtz, Ekitike, I’m not sure they are those type of players. That’s my worry.
“When we said the football was slow, the press wasn’t there. It was because we had Wirtz and Mac Allister in there. Isak doesn’t press.
“Ekitike doesn’t really press. So you almost brought these talented players in, and they couldn’t play this style that we associated with Klopp, we saw bits of in his first season, and Liverpool went the other way.”
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