The collective above all: Why Iraola’s values will lead Liverpool to success

In a recent interview with The Guardian, new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola highlighted a philosophy that stands in stark contrast to modern soccer's billionaire owners. While Liverpool may be "strengthened" by ultra-wealthy investors - or even linked to figures like Amazon’s Jeff Bezos - its ultimate success will stem from a deeply rooted collective ethos.

Andoni Iraola is primed to be a fantastic manager for Liverpool thanks to an ethos that aligns seamlessly with the foundations upon which the club’s greatness was built. These socialist-leaning ideals were once carried by the legendary Bill Shankly and later embraced by Jurgen Klopp as he forged his Red champions.

The 44-year-old Basque tactician, who built his reputation by overachieving on modest budgets at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth, previously reflected on the remarkable rise of Basque managers in the Premier League (Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, Unai Emery at Aston Villa, Xabi Alonso at Chelsea) during an interview with The Guardian.

In doing so, he revealed a worldview that stands in stark contrast to the ultra-wealthy figures who run modern soccer:

"People ask me why so many Basque managers reached this level and why Spanish teams win many titles. I always say that a sense of collectivism is key," Iraola told Andy Hunter of The Guardian. "Spain never had the best individual athletes. In swimming, boxing, or track and field, Spain doesn’t usually win medals. But in team sports - soccer, basketball, handball, hockey - it usually has very good teams. We always put the team first. An example of this is someone like Rodri. He didn’t score or assist, but Spain won the World Cup and he won Player of the Tournament. The mindset that the team is always the priority was built into the way we grew up."

Iraola linked this sporting philosophy directly to the social fabric of his homeland:

"It must be something in society," Iraola said. "Things work when we are not selfish, when you prioritize the situation of those who have less. It happens in soccer too: Those who aren't playing, those coming from the academy, those who earn less. You can compare it to society."

This ethos dictates his management style. Iraola ensures every squad member feels genuinely valued through honest, direct management. From a third-choice goalkeeper to a marquee signing costing hundreds of millions, everyone operates under the exact same standard: The collective comes before any individual.

Iraola’s tactical approach is a direct extension of his societal values.

His preferred pressing structure utilizes a "diamond press" - resembling Arne Slot’s arrangement of two strikers, an attacking player closing down opposition defenders, and central midfielders waiting on the second line. However, the Basque’s press is far more organized, compact, and relentless.

While his forwards are drilled to transition into a man-to-man press, the effort remains strictly collective; every trigger must be executed in full synchronization across the pitch. Cut from the same high-intensity cloth as Klopp, Iraola is renowned for a versatile press that seamlessly transitions from a zonal block into man-to-man coverage depending on the match situation, the ball's location, and specific opponent triggers.

At previous clubs facing far superior squads, Iraola's engine was driven by selflessness, work rate, and absolute commitment.

In possession, his shape fluidly alternates between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-4 with continuous positional rotation. The midfield trio (6, 8, and 10) features dynamic, selfless profiles tasked with operating as a single unit to secure second balls generated by wide play. Consequently, the central midfielders often sacrifice heavy ball-touch volume to execute vital off-the-ball dirty work.

In transition, Iraola encourages bold risk-taking. Upon winning possession, his teams immediately look for diagonal passes into space, triggering a collective charge into dangerous areas.

Ultimately, his setup demands selfless players who respect the structure. Positionally fluid, his 8s might drop into a 10 role, wingers track back for full-backs, and full-backs overlap tirelessly to create space. Rather than strictly enforcing rigid shapes, Iraola prioritizes dynamic movement and player connectivity on the pitch.

"Players don't demand freedom; they demand structure from their managers. It is precisely within that structure that they feel free and can make their own decisions," he explained in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live. "As coaches, we can't show up somewhere and tell everyone: 'Do whatever you want, take the ball wherever you want.' If you did that, after 30 minutes they’d be angry with me. They want us to show them the way. They demand organization, information, options, and thorough preparation for every match. They ask us to study a lot. Our job is to put the player in the best possible scenario to shine. With that preparation in their toolbox, they can make informed decisions and make the difference on the pitch. There are different styles and ways to play, but all of them require structure, study, thought, and hard work."

Having learned under Marcelo Bielsa during the Argentine’s tenure at Athletic Bilbao (2011–2013), Iraola credits much of his development to his former mentor. Yet, he avoids tactical dogma, opting for interpersonal connection and dynamic adaptability over rigid positioning.

He reinforced this perspective to The Guardian:

"I can't change the players' personalities," Iraola said. "Some players are very different from me, but they are great players. I don't want to change everyone or how they think. But I think we'll need to think collectively in this game. As a player, you are always selfish. You always want to play, you always want your stats, you always want all the minutes, but there has to be an understanding that it won't always happen, and I still have to help my teammates and the team."

While Liverpool’s squad remains a work in progress, if the Reds' hierarchy buys into Iraola’s core vision - prioritizing unit connectivity over individual glamour - the Basque manager has every tool required to thrive in the biggest job of his career.