Andoni Iraola delays first Liverpool press conference after arrival as Arne Slot replacement

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While some managers conduct press conferences immediately after arriving at a new club, that will not be the case with Andoni Iraola, who was installed as Liverpool's new head coach on ThursdayAndoni Iraola's first press conference will take place when pre-season starts(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)Andoni Iraola will not hold a press conference until pre-season begins with Liverpool later in the summer.Iraola was confirmed as Liverpool's new head coach on Thursday following the dismissal of Arne Slot last weekend, with negotiations having gone smoothly in recent days.Liverpool quickly settled on Iraola as its preferred target to replace Slot, and no other candidate was interviewed for the position.Iraola flew into Liverpool from San Sebastian on a private jet on Thursday morning to put the finishing touches on the deal, and after spending a few hours at the AXA Training Center, he returned to San Sebastian.While some managers conduct press conferences immediately after arriving at a new club, that will not be the case with Iraola, who will enjoy some time off before getting down to business in a few weeks' time.Iraola did conduct an interview with club media before returning to Spain, in which he expressed his excitement at taking over at Anfield."Really excited, really excited, because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it's a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world," Iraola said."But feeling inside and understanding a little bit more of this club, I always thought it's a special club. Not about the football side, also because what people think about even during the week, how they are passionate about the club and everyone, the ones who like football, the ones that probably are not as interested."But I have some experience with Athletic Club [as a player] that I could in some ways familiarise, but it's going to be fun to experience it from the inside."Andoni Iraola was confirmed as Liverpool's new head coach on Thursday(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Asked what it was that attracted him to the Liverpool job, Iraola said: "I think you don't need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool.

Liverpool is Liverpool."But obviously the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles. I think it cannot be more attractive than this.

So, really excited to start, yes."He added: "I think Liverpool gives me the chance to coach top players, and top players give you the chance to fight for titles. But it's true that I understand where I'm coming and what is expected.