The real reason Liverpool chose Andoni Iraola instead of Xabi Alonso as their next manager has been revealed, and it has nothing to do with timing or availability.<\/p>\n
Despite overwhelming calls to sack Arne Slot mid-season, Liverpool <\/a>held firm and waited for their end-of-season review before deciding the Dutchman\u2019s fate. On Saturday, the result of that review became clear when Liverpool fired Slot.<\/p>\n The hunt for a new manager is on, but in truth, it\u2019s pretty much already a done deal.<\/p>\n Andoni Iraola<\/a>, 43, is primed to become the new Liverpool manager. He\u2019s rejected interest from Crystal Palace, Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan to take the Anfield job.<\/p>\n Fabrizio Romano has already declared Iraola will be Liverpool\u2019s next manager. One report has even claimed an agreement is 100 percent confirmed<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yet despite Liverpool moving so swiftly and decisively for Iraola, there is a line of thinking right now that had the Reds sacked Slot sooner, they might have put their eggs in Xabi Alonso\u2019s basket.<\/p>\n He was the main name most heavily linked with succeeding Slot throughout most of 2026. But of course, Alonso<\/a> was hired by Chelsea <\/a>in mid-May, at which point Liverpool still hadn\u2019t decided whether to stick or twist on Slot.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a situation that has delivered claims Liverpool have scored an own goal and missed out on Alonso as a result of indecision.<\/p>\n However, that couldn\u2019t be further from the truth, with Athletic reporter, Oliver Kay, now explaining the real reason why Liverpool chose Iraola over Alonso.<\/p>\n Firstly, Bundesliga football expert, Kevin Hatchard, suggested on X that Liverpool never opened dialogue with Alonso due to concerns over his playing style.<\/p>\n Liverpool harboured concerns over Xabi Alonso playing style<\/p>\n \u201cI think this idea that #lfc missed out on Xabi Alonso because they sacked Slot too late is wide of the mark,\u201d wrote Hatchard<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a great coach and a Liverpool legend, but if you want aggressive, fast-paced, up-and-at-em football, he\u2019s not your guy.\u00a0Iraola\u00a0much closer to Klopp\u2019s \u201cvollgas\u201d style.\u201d<\/p>\n Trusted reporter Ben Jacobs is among those to have confirmed Liverpool owners FSG want to return to the front-foot and aggressive brand of football<\/a> that characterised the Jurgen Klopp years.<\/p>\n Anfield is only a fortress when the crowd are engaged, and Slot\u2019s tepid, old-age pensioner approach to the game proved to be a cure for insomnia.<\/p>\n MORE LIVERPOOL COVERAGE ON F365\u2026 Alonso\u2019s style places a similar emphasis on control rather than higher tempo and risk-taking. His Chelsea side will often be seen playing extra passes in tight spaces, where an Iraola side will dispense with the pleasantries and force the ball forward sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n And according to Kay, Liverpool as far back as March \u2013 two months before Chelsea hired Alonso \u2013 had already determined they had no desire to appoint Alonso if Slot were dismissed at a later date.<\/p>\n
* Will Andoni Iraola make Liverpool likeable and watchable again?<\/a>
* Slot \u2018asks\u2019 Euro giants to sign Liverpool star with ex-Reds boss \u2018set to take over\u2019; another exit \u2018closer\u2019<\/a>
* Former Man City, Liverpool star James Milner decides to retire after record-breaking PL career<\/a><\/p>\n