“I would like to give them a team that they can feel proud of” — Iraola vows high-intensity Liverpool revival | OneFootball

Andoni Iraola has said he wants to build a Liverpool team that the club's fans can be proud of.

Iraola wasappointed as Liverpool's new head coach last month, arriving from Bournemouth to replace Arne Slot.

The 44-year-old led Bournemouth to European qualification last season and now inherits a Liverpool team aiming to bounce back from a difficult campaign.

The Spaniard has built a reputation for high-intensity football and said he is determined to create a side that the supporters can resonate with.

"It's a great question for the first one! I would like to give them a team that they can feel proud of. I think football, and especially Liverpool, for me is about connecting, connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters," he said at hisfirst press conference.

"I've been in the other side at Anfield. I've experienced, I always say, the goal that [Federico] Chiesa scored in the first game of the past season, where you can feel this stadium – and I would love to have this every game we play.

"And it has to come from us from inside the pitch and we have to be a team that works hard, [is] intense, aggressive, vertical so everyone can be identified, everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team."

“I will try to be the same coach” — Iraola embraces Anfield spotlight and promises authenticity

Iraola's move to Merseyside bring a significant step up in expectation, as he takes charge of English football's most decorated club.

Asked if he can still be the same coach amid added scrutiny, Iraola said he understands ach mistake will be spotlighted at Anfield.

"I will try to be the same coach. I understand that I will maybe make mistakes here [to the media], I will say things that I shouldn't, but you cannot be all the time thinking subtly, 'Don't tell this.' I think you have to be yourself. You have to be yourself and I will try to be.

"Obviously I cannot say everything here to you, there are some things that you have to keep private. But especially with the players, I know that we will have big personalities, big egos, but I will try not to change with them also, yes."