Richard Hughes' crucial role in appointing Andoni Iraola

The prospect of Andoni Iraola becoming Liverpool’s new head coach has become a prominent topic in recent days.

AS in Spain is now reporting that the former Athletic Bilbao defender is a candidate to replace Arne Slot - whose future at the club now looks far less clear-cut.

Iraola, 43, is due to leave Bournemouth following the final game of the Premier League season on Sunday.

He has performed very well in his role since being appointed by the Cherries back in 2023 - leading the south coast club to European football for the first time ever.

He is one of the most intriguing managerial candidates on the market - and there will be no shortage of interest in his services come summer.

Whether that ends up in Iraola getting the Liverpool job remains to be seen.

But one thing is for sure: Bournemouth’s decision to part ways with Gary O’Neil and hire Iraola has well and truly been vindicated.

And do you know who was behind that appointment in the first place?

None other than Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes.

Richard Hughes the mastermind behind Iraola appointment

The Scottish exec was in place as Bournemouth’s technical director at the time - with club owner Bill Foley revealing back in October 2023 how hard Hughes pushed for Iraola’s appointment.

Iraola had spent three years cultivating his reputation with Rayo Vallecano and was somewhat of a surprise choice for Bournemouth at the time. But Hughes was convinced he was the right man for the job.

“It was really a style of play that we were engaging in,” Foley told the Men In Blazers podcast. “We were really a counter-attacking team. I felt we needed to be on the offence.

“We needed to be aggressive, we needed to attack. That’s Andoni’s style. He’s a (Marcelo) Bielsa student and fast-paced.

“When we had the opportunity, it came to us from Richard Hughes, our technical director. He came to myself and to Neill Blake, the CEO, and then we started talking about it.

“I said if we don’t do this now, we may never have the chance to do this again.

“We just need to be aggressive and we need to be willing to make change. If you don’t make change, then you’re not going to be successful.”

Hughes 'intrigued' by Iraola

Hughes made the decision to appoint Slot for Liverpool - which paid dividends in the form of a Premier League title win in 2024/25. But it’s fair to say the Dutchman has struggled in his second season in charge.

Despite a contract until 2027 it has been speculated that the axe could swing at Anfield following a post-season review.

The defending champions are still unsure of their prospects of playing in the Champions League next season with only one more match to play.

And a Slot sacking could end up bringing Hughes back to Iraola’s door.

“First I listened to Richard Hughes and to Simon Francis, one of his top assistants,” Foley said of Iraola’s acquisition.

“They were intrigued by Andoni. They convinced Neill Blake that this was a move that we have a chance to do, we have a chance to make and if we don’t make this move, we’re going to regret it in the future.

“That’s really all they had to tell me.

“I did a little research on Andoni and I was satisfied that he would be an agent of change and that’s what I always look for, how can we change, be more effective and constantly improve.

“I believe he’s going to do it.

“People say you may have made a mistake. I said, if I’ve made a mistake, it’s on me, I’ll take responsibility, because I was involved in the decision-making process.”

Iraola working wonders in Bournemouth

Bournemouth have improved year on year under Iraola - despite the need to sell players in practically every window.

They sold Antoine Semenyo only last winter to Manchester City but have scarcely missed a beat in the second half of the season. Last summer they said goodbye to Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi - three of their first-choice back four - among others.

But Iraola has unearthed new stars to keep Bournemouth in the chase for European football - getting the best out of the best of Rayan and Eli Junior Kroupi for example - two players Liverpool really need to sign.

The former New York City FC player would no doubt bolster his credentials with a move to Merseyside - and the current sporting director at Liverpool has already gone to great lengths to convince one club owner to appoint him once before.

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