Iraola sees similarities between Liverpool and Athletic Club

[Getty Images] Andoni Iraola says he was in talks with other clubs before taking over as Liverpool manager. The 44-year-old replaced Arne Slot as head coach this summer, after stepping down as Bournemouth manager following a three-year stay. "It happened quite fast," he said. "Yes, it was true that I was talking with some clubs. It was the first or second week after the season ended when Liverpool contacted me, and it didn't take a lot [to say yes]." Iraola's arrival was seen by Liverpool as a means of trying to deliver an attacking brand of football. In his introductory news conference last week, he spoke about wanting to give fans "a team to be proud of". And the former Spain international, who spent 12 seasons of his playing career at Athletic Club, sees some similarities between the Reds and his hometown club, where there is a policy to only use players born or developed in the Basque country. "It is a very special club," said Iraola. "You have to maximise every player you have in the squad. You cannot sell him and choose another one a lot of the time. "As a player, you have to give a bit extra. The only way that policy can be successful is if you give 100%. This creates a connection - you see they win things and they have never been relegated. "I see a lot of things [similar to Liverpool]. This sense of belonging and of being a little bit different. This connection with players from the academy. The atmosphere of Anfield. "This is one of the biggest clubs in the world and, in some ways, the comparison probably isn't fair - but, in a lot of ways, I see a lot of similarities." Read the full article here