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Liverpool appointed Arne Slot this summer as Jurgen Klopp’s successor, with the Dutchman proving to be a dream hire.
The former Feyenoord man has led Liverpool into a comfortable lead at the top of the Premier League with the Reds also in the driving seat for the revamped UEFA Champions League standings with a 100% record after six games.
With former keeper Adrian lauding Slot for his impact at Liverpool, there’s a real chance that the 46-year-old manager could end his first year in charge on Merseyside with silverware after a potentially record-breaking debut season in England.
Yet things could have been different had Liverpool made a move for a Premier League manager who was considered last summer to replace Klopp.
Andoni Iraola considered by Liverpool to replace Klopp
According to the Times, AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola was included on a list of managers Liverpool were considering to replace Klopp, with the likes of Ruben Amorim, Eddie Howe and Xabi Alonso also shortlisted.
With Iraola lauding the atmosphere at Anfield during Bournemouth’s trip to Liverpool earlier this season, the former Atheltic Bilbao defender seemingly has an affection for the Reds after being considered for the head coach role last summer.
Indeed, Iraola is rightfully regarded as one of the most exciting young managers in the Premier League having led Bournemouth to a 12th-place finish last season despite a disastrous start to the campaign.
Yet with Slot doing as good a job as he has this season with Liverpool, the Anfield side made the right call in opting to go with the Feyenoord manager over Iraola, who has some way to go before he’s ready to take on a job as big as the Merseyside giants.
Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at London Stadium on December 29, 2024 i…
As mentioned, Amorim was considered by Liverpool as a potential option with the Portuguese coach since going on to join Manchester United, the side the Reds face this weekend in what will be a massive Premier League tie.
With Roberto De Zerbi also an option for Liverpool during the summer, the Reds looked at every possible venture when deciding who to appoint as their successor to Klopp, a task that everyone thought of as impossible.
However, Slot has shattered every expectation and then some since joining Liverpool, with the Reds looking primed to challenge for every piece of silverware in 2025 and likely to come out with something come the end of the season.Tap Here for the Full Story
