'Good news' - Merseyside Insider seriously impressed by Andoni Iraola at Liverpool
Andoni Iraola deserves admiration for his stance regarding his two-year contract as Liverpool manager.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the new boss deserves praise for not being hung up on a potential payout that he could get.
The Spaniard was recently asked in a press conference why he didn’t push for a longer contract after getting a big move to Anfield, but he stressed that he is keen to earn each year of his deal, and doesn’t want to be kept in his job purely because of a previous agreement.
Wyness suggested that it is refreshing to hear a manager speak in that way, rather than try to cover himself with the possibility of a significant compensation payment if he were to lose his job.
Iraola has preferred to sign two-year deals throughout his managerial career, and his desire in that sense hasn’t changed now that he has taken the reins at Anfield.
The 44-year-old is happy to have his position assessed on a yearly basis, and still feels that he has what it takes to earn a lengthy spell in charge.
Keith Wyness: Liverpool fans will love Andoni Iraola’s attitude
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Iraola’s stance on his long-term future is likely to please the Liverpool fans.
The Scottish businessman stressed that the new boss is prepared to live or die by his results, something which he believes is “good news” for the club.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained how he would have greater trust in a manager who didn’t feel the need to be protected by a big contract.
“I admire him actually, with the way he's speaking about that because it's true. I mean, after every season, managers are evaluated just as hard as anything else,” he said.
“We’ve seen a few managers play games of getting longer or at least medium-term contracts and then forcing their way out of clubs early and getting their paydays. And a few managers have done that.
“I've been in cases when I've done both. I've had managers on a rolling year-to-year contract. That to me was when you have a manager you trust, and you get on with. Because then it gives you both some leeway and some security to a degree.
“You then are not facing some huge four or five-year deal to get people out of a contract if you need to. I admire Iraola for having that sort of attitude and saying, look, I'm either going to be here, or I'm not. I don't care about getting paid out to that degree.
“I think Liverpool fans will be pleased to hear that. It's good for a manager to be refreshing and admit that he's not looking to try and get a three-year payout. He's prepared to settle on his results, and that's good news.”
Liverpool ready to join race for World Cup star
Football Insider revealed last weekend that Liverpool are ready to join the race for Roma midfielder Manu Kone after some impressive performances for France at this summer’s World Cup.
The 25-year-old started four games for Didier Deschamps’ side in North America, and was introduced at half-time during their semi-final defeat to Spain.
Liverpool had scouts over at the tournament and now have Kone on their radar, with Roma expected to find it hard to turn down any big-money offers.
Manchester United are also keen admirers of the former Toulouse man, but have already secured deals for both Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos this summer.