How Andoni Iraola can follow in Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson’s footsteps at Liverpool

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Andoni Iraola can take inspiration from two of the greatest managers of all-time by becoming elite during his time with Liverpool, says Tony Cascarino.Although he ended up being an obvious candidate to take over from Arne Slot at Anfield, some have questioned whether Iraola is ready to make the step up from Bournemouth to Liverpool.According to Cascarino, though, while the Basque is yet to show that he is a top, top-level manager, he can follow the likes of Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson in coming from more humble beginnings to dominating at an elite club. Perhaps Andoni Iraola's chaotic style could get the best out of him… Getty Images/Michael Regan/Premier League Iraola can become an elite manager at LiverpoolThough most supporters have been excited by Iraola’s appointment at Liverpool, the question marks over the step up in level will nag until he is able to assuage them.For Cascarino, this is now the challenge for Iraola, but he argues that while the 43-year-old has not had the chance to manage at the top-level just yet, his achievements with Bournemouth show that he deserves the opportunity to do that.“I’m excited, because I was lucky enough to watch Bournemouth a hell of a lot last year, and I came away thinking ‘I’d love my team to play like that’, that’s my immediate thought,” the pundit told TalkSPORT.READ MORE: When Richard Hughes will stop work as Liverpool’s sporting director with Al Hilal move ‘close’Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images“People are saying is he an elite manager?

Of course he’s not an elite manager because he’s never been in that elite position, but my counter-argument to that would be is there an elite manager that could have got Bournemouth into the top six, because he got them sixth. I don’t think many people could have done that, honestly, that is an incredible achievement.”Cascarino went on to liken Iraola’s rise from Rayo Vallecano, to Bournemouth to Liverpool to that of Guardiola and Ferguson, who ‘earned their stripes’ before proving themselves on the biggest stages.“Everybody starts from somewhere,” he said.

You have to earn your stripes and I think Andoni Iraola is the same, he’s going to have to earn the right to be a Liverpool manager and to be successful. You have to be, you have to win competitions, you have to be challenging for the title, that’s the expectation, but there’s a number of clubs who think that as well.“I’m excited because I just love the way Bournemouth play and I’m sure he’s identified certain types of players that are required to make Liverpool a side that play in the style that he wants.”Liverpool fans will certainly be hoping that Iraola can show himself as worthy of being in charge of the Reds, but, until he does that, some will continue to question his suitability.