Liverpool new head coach Andoni Iraola has explained why he has chosen to sign only a two-year deal with the Reds.
Iraola, who has previous form for signing two-year deals throughout his managerial career, insisted that the length of a manager’s contract wasn’t important, and that it gave both himself and the club the opportunity to review that they were both happy with the existing arrangement.
“Two-year deals, coaching contracts don’t matter a lot. I don’t want to be in a place because of a contract. I sign year-to-year, basically. A lot of managers have long contracts but sometimes the club doesn’t want it,” the 44-year-old said in his first press conference on Monday (via Liverpool Echo).
“As a player, it’s important, but as a manager, it’s not important. If you are happy, I am happy. I want to stay here a lot more years, it means I have done a very good job.
“But we have to earn it. Managers, I feel, have to earn every year the right to continue. Especially in clubs like Liverpool, but I’ve done it everywhere. I’ve done it always like this.”
Also Read: Klopp: Iraola Needs Luck To Be Successful At Liverpool
Iraola steered unfancied Bournemouth to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, helping the Cherries to qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.
An aggressive attacking playing style ensured that he succeeded Arne Slot in the Anfield hotseat and Liverpool fans can expect the very same approach to games from their new head coach next season.
Iraola said: “I think we have to be our core principles, lots of games, maybe you face low blocks, but I prefer that, we’re in control, less chances conceding, these are the scenarios we want. Other teams don’t give you that, they want to control, play in your half. I want to be on the opposition’s half, creating chances.
“I think you have the advantage that you saw me for three years in the Premier League. Some know me better, but the people involved in football, they will know what we try to do.
“I understand this is Liverpool FC, we have to change some things, even tactically, but if they sign me it’s because they want a lot of things I was doing at other clubs. So I don’t want to change the DNA of my teams on the pitch. I try to be as natural as possible.”
