The Selection Puzzle
Spanish coach Andoni Iraola left Bournemouth this week after leading the club to its highest ever Premier League finish and European qualification. Liverpool have opened talks with him about taking over at Anfield.
Iraola took over Bournemouth in 2023 and turned the club into one of the most entertaining sides in the league. Despite limited spending power, they regularly upset bigger opponents and played an attacking style that caught attention across the league.
The Fitness Questions
He has no experience managing one of Europe's elite clubs. Before Bournemouth, Iraola coached Rayo Vallecano in Spain's top flight and earlier worked in Cyprus. His stock has risen sharply over the past two seasons.
The names mentioned in the original article were never a coherent part of this squad story.