Liverpool and Chelsea could very easily have swapped managers this summer, with Xabi Alonso joining the Reds and Andoni Iraola taking charge of the Blues.
Alonso is a celebrated former player at Anfield, and had seemed like the most likely candidate to replace Arne Slot, while Iraola was known to be on the market before Chelsea sacked Liam Rosenior in April.
Had the Blues plumped for Iraola, Alonso could well have ended up at Liverpool, but after they interviewed the new Reds boss for the position, they were reportedly left with concerns regarding his intended style of play.
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Iraola was too much of a change for Chelsea
Unlike Liverpool, Chelsea are very used to the hiring and firing of managers and have become extremely well versed in the process over the past 20 years.
Despite all this chopping and changing, The Athletic report that the Blues ownership were worried that Iraola would come in and be too drastic a difference to what their squad was used to.
It’s claimed that Chelsea had concerns over the potential ‘radical departure’ Iraola would be from the style of both Enzo Maresca and Rosenior.
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Though Iraola is said to have ‘impressed’ during his interview, it was ultimately decided that his tactical preferences would not be suitable.
As a result, they opted for Alonso instead, and with Liverpool believing that their former player was not quite suited to what they wanted to follow on from Arne Slot, perhaps that reinforces the view that everyone ended up where they were supposed to.
Iraola also held talks with Bayer Leverkusen this summer, with Crystal Palace and AC Milan engaging in discussions over his possible hiring as well.
Milan appear to have come closest, meeting face-to-face with Iraola after installing him as favourite to replace Max Allegri, but the new Liverpool boss headed off on holiday to San Sebastian after the meeting, and that’s when the Reds came in.
Though some fans will hold reservations over Iraola due to his lack of big club experience, they will hold out hope that Chelsea’s loss will ultimately be Liverpool’s gain.
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