Club legend closing in on Liverpool return | OneFootball

A club legend is closing in on returning to Liverpool.

With Arne Slot's spell at Liverpool now behind us, attention has already turned to who could be next in the Anfield dugout. If recent reports are to be believed, Andoni Iraola is emerging as the leading candidate to take over.

It's easy to see why Liverpool would be interested. Iraola has done an outstanding job at Bournemouth, turning them into one of the most exciting teams to watch in the Premier League. Not only have they played attractive football, but he has also helped guide the club into European competition - a remarkable achievement given the resources available to him.

Success like that is always going to catch the eye of bigger clubs, and Liverpool are no exception.

On paper, Iraola seems like a great fit. His teams play with energy, intensity and confidence. They press high, attack aggressively and, perhaps most importantly, have a clear identity.

You can immediately recognise what his sides are trying to do whenever they step onto the pitch.

He also appears to have the personality needed to connect with both players and supporters, something that can be just as important as tactical ability at a club the size of Liverpool.

That sense of identity was something Liverpool often lacked under Slot. There were certainly positive moments during his time in charge, but the team rarely felt fully committed to a single style of play.

At different points, the Reds looked caught between competing approaches, unsure whether to focus on controlling possession, playing with intensity, or simply getting results.

As a result, performances could vary dramatically from one game to the next. While there were glimpses of quality, there wasn't always a clear long-term direction behind them.

What makes Iraola so appealing is that he brings a clear vision. Throughout his coaching career, he has stayed true to a defined philosophy and has never been afraid to trust his own ideas. He knows exactly how he wants his teams to play and has shown the confidence to stick with that approach, even when results haven't always gone his way.

That conviction could be exactly what Liverpool need as they enter a new era. The excitement surrounding Iraola is understandable, but potential alone guarantees nothing. Turning that promise into success at a club with Liverpool's expectations will be his biggest challenge yet.

It certainly won't be an easy job. If he does arrive at Anfield, he'll need plenty of support both on and off the pitch to help guide the team in the right direction.

One of the biggest hurdles will be implementing his high-intensity pressing game and direct style of football. The current squad has spent the last few years playing in a much more controlled and measured system under Slot, so adapting to a completely different approach won't happen overnight.

In many ways, the direction under Iraola would represent a shift back towards the kind of aggressive, front-foot football Liverpool fans became accustomed to during Jurgen Klopp's reign. While that will undoubtedly excite supporters, it will take time, patience and hard work to fully establish.

Improving the squad's fitness levels will also be crucial. Iraola's style demands relentless energy and intensity, and Liverpool will need to reach those physical standards if they are to get the best out of his system.

Even then, the Spaniard will be stepping into challenges unlike anything he has faced before in his managerial career.

Aside from the pressure of working for a big club, he will also have to understand that a lot of teams are going to sit deep against this Liverpool team and limit the effectiveness of his counter-pressing style.

Iraola is going to have to come up with a solution on how to breakdown low-blocks just as Klopp had to do.

For that, he should be looking to seek the council of a former Liverpool legend.

According to The Telegraph Thiago Alcantara would be keen on a return to Liverpool. The cult hero, who has played for the club's Legend team has previously worked at Barcelona after retiring as a player upon leaving the Reds.

At Barcelona, Thiago learned from Hansi Flick, who is known for his pressing and intense style but also knows how to unlock deep-lying defences. The German is one of the best coaches in the game.

The intel he will have gained there on top of the fact that Thiago himself had this uncanny ability to unlock defences makes him the ideal candidate for an assistant role.

There's also the Spanish connection, which just points to this move being inevitable. Based on the information available it's now looking very likely that we could see Thiago return to Anfield.