Andoni Iraola vows not to change as he embraces Liverpool’s ‘magic’

New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola intends to enjoy the “magic” of the job but he does not want it to change him.

The former Bournemouth boss understands the step up from the Cherries to his biggest challenge in football will bring with it scrutiny, as predecessor Arne Slot found out having been sacked a year after winning the Premier League.

However, the 44-year-old said he was planning to stick to his principles as that is what earned him the role in the first place – but wants to embrace everything the club and the city have to offer.

In a marked difference to Slot, who made his home near Manchester Airport to make it easier for him to fly home to see his family who remained in the Netherlands, Iraola intends to immerse himself in the local culture.

“Until I go through certain experiences I will not fully know but I’m here to experience those situations, I’m ready for it. I understand this is a massive club,” he said.

“Everything that I’m going say now, it’s going to get the biggest scrutiny. You have to be very aware of the mistakes but I wouldn’t like also to be too careful.

“I would like to act quite normal: I’m not going live in my bubble – just training ground, home. I would like also to go to the city, experience the city – I know some places, I would have to take some pictures.

“But it’s part also of the magic of being the Liverpool manager and I would like not to change too much.”

The Basque-born Iraola’s first challenge will be to re-energise a squad which unfathomably faltered just months after winning only the club’s second league title in 35 years, losing 12 matches and finishing fifth.

He has spent time trying to learn the issues but until the full squad returns after the World Cup he will not be able