Andoni Iraola is putting the finishing touches to his new Liverpool coaching staff as a new era begins at Anfield.
The current expectation is that Iraola will bring Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper, Tom Webber and Pablo De la Torre with him from Bournemouth, but there may still be space for further additions.
There has been talk that a former Liverpool player is in line to join the team, and though the focus has currently been on high-profile names such as Thiago Alcantara, James Milner or Steven Gerrard joining, there are other names who could potentially be in the mix. Here, Rousing The Kop take a look at four possible candidates.
What should Iraola’s first job be as Liverpool boss? 🤔
What Iraola may be looking for
Clearly, whoever Iraola ultimately hires will have to fit into his vision of the game. That can be difficult to decipher from the outside.
Nevertheless, on a basic level, he is looking for someone who obviously has coaching experience, or is working towards it, and a person who has knowledge of the club.
Given he is taking several English coaches with him from Bournemouth, speaking Spanish is clearly not a pre-requisite, but it may be helpful nonetheless. Taking all of that into account, and excluding both Thiago and Milner in particular, leaves us with five interesting candidates.
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Javier Mascherano
Having resigned from Inter Miami after winning the MLS Cup, Javier Mascherano is looking for his next coaching role.
A native Spanish speaker who has experience at underage level as well as with senior players, an assistant job at his former club could certainly appeal.
There are players who are far more connected with Liverpool, but it would be interesting to see what Mascherano could bring to Iraola’s team as a one-time title-winning manager.
Adam Lallana
A popular choice for Iraola would be Adam Lallana, who has long been seen as someone who has a future in coaching.
The 38-year-old was on the staff at Southampton before his retirement last summer, and has since taken over as the club’s U21 manager.
Stepping into the senior environment at Anfield would be a natural next step for Lallana, who has always been a favourite of the Liverpool crowd.
Adrian San Miguel
If Iraola is keen to add a Spanish feel to his staff, then bringing in former Reds goalkeeper Adrian could also be an interesting move.
The 39-year-old announced his retirement from playing last month, and was already working towards his coaching badges while still with Liverpool.
It might be a bit of an ask for Adrian to get his first experience as a coach at such a high level, but he was always well-liked behind the scenes and has the personality to get stuck in.
Rate Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool appointment! Would any other manager have been a better pick?
Fernando Torres
Another Spaniard who could be earmarked for a role is Fernando Torres.
There have been claims that Torres is being primed to take over from Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid when the Argentine finally retires, but with no end to El Cholo’s reign in sight, perhaps the former No 9 would be interested in taking on a different position.
Currently in charge of Atletico’s B team in the Spanish third division, where they finished 3rd in 2025/26, Torres has steadily worked his way through the youth ranks with Atleti.
Though he may have higher ambitions than playing second-fiddle, joining his former Spanish national team colleague on the Anfield bench could appeal to Torres, who still has some wounds to help heal from the way he left in 2011.
Nuri Sahin
Another former Liverpool player who has since had a mixed time in management is Nuri Sahin, who took over at Istanbul Basaksehir last September following a failed stint at Borussia Dortmund.
Sahin had looked primed for a management career at the top of European football, but after struggling to get off the ground with Dortmund, he is now struggling to escape the Turkish football cycle.
Although moving to Liverpool would technically be a step down in seniority, it might just give Sahin the tools he needs to work his way back up.
There are plenty of others Iraola could consider as well, but in terms of current positions, experience and suitability, these are five potentially overlooked former Liverpool players who spring to mind.
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