Andoni Iraola opened up on Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta impact as Liverpool appointment nears

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Andoni Iraola was brought up alongside some famous names during his early years as a player, and he'll be hoping to follow in Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta's footsteps as he joins LiverpoolAndoni Iraola played alongside Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso as a youngster(Image: Getty Images)Andoni Iraola is expected to be appointed as Liverpool manager this week, and will be hoping to utilize some of the qualities that put him, Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso among of the best coaches in the world.The Reds are closing in on the former Bournemouth boss as Arne Slot’s replacement, with Iraola having verbally agreed to take over at Anfield. The 43-year-old is expected to sign a two-year contract, and could be unveiled before the end of the week.Iraola will arrive on Merseyside with a growing reputation following his work at Bournemouth, having just helped the Cherries qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.His upbringing played a big role in his approach as a player and manager, having been nurtured as a youngster back in Spain with Antiguoko.Iraola was part of a storied team for the San Sebastian club, having played alongside both Arteta and Alonso, who he will pit his wits against in the Premier League next season.“It's incredible because when we were seven, eight, nine, I played with Mikel Arteta, I played with Xabi Alonso,” Iraola told BBC Sport back in September.“We are more or less the same age, playing sometimes against each other because I was in a school and they were in other schools when we were playing on the beach.

Then after we played together in a small club, also in Antiguoko, and now it's amazing that we see each other on the football pitches almost 40 years later.”Andoni Iraola also played alongside Xabi Alonso during his early years(Image: Maurice van Steen - AVP)It was at Antiguoko where the trio began on the road to their impressive playing careers, with Iraola going on to become an Athletic Bilbao hero, Arteta joining Barcelona and going on to play for Paris Saint-Germain, Everton and Arsenal, while Alonso of course made a name for himself at Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.But it was also during those early years when their philosophies as managers were formed, which has seen Arteta and Alonso claim league titles in England and Germany respectively, and Iraola will no doubt be hoping to follow in their footsteps with the Reds."I started my playing career there, but also my coaching career," Iraola told Sky Sports back in 2023. It's amazing that they are even known.

They are a really, really small club from San Sebastian. But, among academies, they are a big club."Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.