Andoni Iraola warned he needs strong Liverpool start thanks to contract decision
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Andoni Iraola has been appointed as Liverpool's new manager on a two-year contract, and former Reds goalkeeper David James has warned the Spaniard that he needs to hit the ground running at AnfieldAndoni Iraola at the AXA Training Centre(Image: (Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))Andoni Iraola has been cautioned that he must make an immediate impact at Liverpool, given that he has only put pen to paper on a two-year deal at the club. Iraola was named as Liverpool's new manager earlier this month, with the Spaniard stepping in to replace the dismissed Arne Slot.Nevertheless, the brevity of Iraola's contract raised a few eyebrows, despite him having signed comparable agreements earlier in his managerial career at Spanish clubs Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano.Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James warned: "I think it will be interesting because obviously with Arne Slot being replaced because the results weren't right, you have got a new manager who will be allowed some kind of grace."So, I think there's a part there, in answering your question, that he won't be expected to be winning every game straight away."However, he will have new players coming in at the squad, into that team, undoubtedly, and therefore he will have an opportunity to put his mark on a group of players that will be getting used to a new style."Given the success he had with Bournemouth, and I say this respectfully, with players who were trying to make the grade, now that he has got players that you think are at that grade, then hopefully the performances and the results will come a lot quicker."I don't think it's imperative that he wins every game.
That's a lot more pressure than possibly he needs. But he has only got a two-year contract, so he will have to get started pretty quick."Iraola became Liverpool's primary target after steering unfashionable Bournemouth to 12th, ninth and sixth-placed finishes in the Premier League.New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)The Spaniard also earned widespread acclaim for the manner in which he implemented an attractive brand of attacking, high-energy football at the Cherries."I say this respectfully, what they have done is absolutely amazing this season," James said, via Grosvenor Sport, who offer the latest World Cup Odds.
It's not to say that you can't improve. I don't believe that you shouldn't improve even at Liverpool."But if Iraola's playing style is with players who are learning to get better at the level of Bournemouth, then, as I say, it's quite exciting to think that if he has got the talent, like as we have seen already with [Alexander] Isak and [Florian] Wirtz, then what he wants to do, you would think he would be able to do quicker and better to start with.