'I like him': Steve Nicol tells FSG who their alternative to Xabi Alonso should be as next Liverpool manager

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Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has backed Andoni Iraola to take the job at Anfield next season if FSG decide to overlook Xabi Alonso.Though he had previously been seen as favourite to succeed Arne Slot if the Dutchman is fired this summer, there have been recent suggestions that Liverpool would not hire Alonso.That has opened the door for other potential candidates, and according to Nicol, Iraola would be an excellent choice. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista Nicol backs Iraola for Liverpool managerNicol has flip-flopped on the possibility of Alonso joining over the course of the season, having not been totally convinced by the Spaniard’s stint at Real Madrid.Nevertheless, when asked to pick his Reds manager for next season between Slot, Alonso and Iraola on ESPN FC, Nicol admitted that though the former Liverpool midfielder would likely still be his first choice, he would have ‘absolutely no problem’ with Iraola arriving either.“I like Iraola.

I like the way his Bournemouth play the game,” he said. But he absolutely bombed at Real Madrid and you have to take that into consideration.Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Sam Allardyce names former Liverpool manager as the most annoying he ever faced in the Premier League“However, I don’t think that FSG, if Arne Slot is not going to be there at the start of the season, I don’t see how FSG don’t go with Alonso.

So, I’m going to go Alonso I think, ultimately. “If something happened with Alonso and he didn’t want it, or they weren’t keen with what happened at Real Madrid, I’d have absolutely no problem with Andoni Iraola next season.”Analysis: Iraola could join LiverpoolAlthough Alonso would still feel like the logical choice if Slot does not keep his job beyond this season, all the noises of late have been very clear that he is not in the thinking.If that really is the case, then Iraola has done enough to prove that he should be next in line.