Andoni Iraola 'better option' than Xabi Alonso as Liverpool decision explained

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Xabi Alonso was persistently linked with the Liverpool job but he was off the market by the time the Reds took the decision to dismiss Arne Slot at the end of MayAndoni Iraola was appointed as Liverpool's new head coach earlier this month(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Liverpool has been told that Andoni Iraola was a better choice than Xabi Alonso to take over as the Liverpool head coach.Speculation linking former Reds midfielder Alonso with a romantic return to Anfield has been persistent for the last couple of years, but he was confirmed as Chelsea's new manager last month, shortly before Liverpool made the decision to part ways with Arne Slot.Liverpool quickly identified Iraola as its preferred candidate to replace Slot, and confirmed the Spaniard's appointment within a week of Slot's dismissal. Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James believes that Iraola was a more suitable appointment than Alonso would have been."As a Liverpool supporter, there's always a romantic side to wanting a former player, who admittedly has been successful, to return and succeed as manager.

But ultimately, you want the best manager, not necessarily the most popular one," James told BetVictor."There was certainly an opportunity to go with the popular choice in Xabi Alonso, and while time will tell, it seems to me that Iraola appears to be the better option."Meanwhile, James said that he was originally disappointed with Liverpool's call to fire Slot at the end of May, but ultimately understood the decision.After winning the Premier League during his first season in charge, Slot presided over a disappointing second campaign at the Reds' helm, finishing 25 points behind league winner Arsenal.Xabi Alonso will be Chelsea's manager next season(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool secured Champions League qualification on the final day of the season, and that was expected to be enough to keep him in a job over the summer, but an end-of-season review led to his dismissal."Initially, I was disappointed they parted ways with Arne Slot," James said."I felt the season had been difficult for anyone to manage, given everything that was going on. Liverpool isn't, traditionally, a club that sacks managers after one poor season."That said, the club obviously felt they needed to make a change, and when someone like Andoni Iraola becomes available, there may have been a window of opportunity they simply felt that they couldn’t ignore."Had Slot stayed, there would have been enormous pressure next season to return Liverpool to their previous standards and that could have been too much for him.

That pressure won't be there for Iraola."So yes, I was initially disappointed, but I understand the reasoning."