Liverpool manager Iraola was interviewed by SuperSport, where he discussed his feelings about managing Liverpool, the club's summer transfers, and leading the team in the Champions League, among other topics.

Reporter: Mr. Iraola, how are you?

Very well, thank you. And you?

I'm doing well, and it's a pleasure to speak with you. I only speak a little Spanish, so I'll switch back to English.

You speak it very well! Very fluently.

How was your offseason?

Very good, excellent. I was very fortunate; we spent two weeks in Chicago. I think it's a beautiful city, very suitable for pre-season preparations, so everything went smoothly.

In your new role, how much personal time did you actually have during the offseason?

Not much, actually. I had to help my children with their transition to new schools. I stayed in Bournemouth initially, but I also used the time to find a new house in Liverpool and arrange schooling for the children. By the time I arrived here, the most important things were already sorted.

I know that starting a new job can be nerve-wracking, but also exciting. For you, knowing that you're about to manage one of the greatest clubs in the world, what does that feel like?

Yes, you try to analyze everything about Liverpool—their last season and as many match recordings as possible. But I think the most crucial thing is understanding the people who work here. I spoke with many analysts and members of the working team who know the players very well, and I've also spoken with some of the players themselves. This way, you can start preparing for each position to get the new season off to the best possible start.

There are many players you need to get familiar with, but also many veteran players who made great contributions to Liverpool have now left. A lot of experienced core players have departed; how do you adapt to this change?

Indeed, we lost some extremely experienced veterans last season—excellent players like Mohamed Salah, Kieran Robertson, and Ibrahima Konaté, who made huge contributions to the club. But you have to adapt. New personnel and new players will arrive, aiming to provide us with the same tactical impact, or at least close to their level. We know this is not easy, but we also have high hopes for the younger generation who will be playing for the team.

You mentioned the new players. While experience has been lost, new recruits have also arrived. How do you think they are adapting?

I think players like Liam Delap and Giorgi Mamardashvili are still finding their feet, while Ronald Araujo is somewhat different because he already has considerable experience. But I think at the very beginning, they must all feel the same way I do. We have come to such a massive club, facing extremely high expectations; every word and action will be scrutinized, and everyone will be watching your every move. I think Mamardashvili was fortunate; he played exceptionally well in his first game, which helped him take a solid step in building his confidence. And Delap has also played a few games for us, and I think he has been able to provide tangible help to the team from the start.

What about Ronald Araujo? He joined as a very experienced defender, and he's likely to partner with your most experienced stalwart, Virgil van Dijk. What qualities did you see in him that made you believe he was the right fit for Liverpool?

For me, signing Ronald was always an excellent idea. I know him very well because we've played against each other many times in La Liga. But more importantly, after speaking with him personally, I was completely convinced. I saw a player who is extremely hungry for success. After playing for Barcelona for many years, he needed a fresh change. I think he comes here with great ambition, wanting to re-establish himself and find his best form. He possesses many qualities that are perfectly suited to us and very well-adapted to the physicality of the Premier League. I believe that whenever he plays, he will certainly deliver top performances.

Yes, he has joined a powerhouse that has won the most English top-flight titles. The same goes for you; after gradually building your coaching career, you joined one of England's most successful clubs. What does it mean to you to be managing Liverpool now?

For me, this is clearly a huge challenge. This is the first time I've managed top-level stars who are accustomed to being at the top of the league table and constantly fighting for championships. I also have to raise myself to the same level. My goal is to help the players achieve the honors they aspire to, to create the right tactical environment for them, and to provide them with the tools they need to perform at their true level. I am truly looking forward to the start of the new season.

And this is also the first time in your career that you will be competing in the Champions League as a head coach. How excited are you about this?

Very excited. I've been checking the draw results and looking forward to the opponents and matches. I was fortunate enough to experience one season of the Champions League as a player, but now I will experience it as a head coach. This will be a considerable challenge in terms of fixture congestion, which is why we need to build a deep squad that is always ready to cope with such a demanding schedule. I loved playing in the Champions League as a player, and I will certainly enjoy it as a coach.

We talked about how you've progressively risen to the level of a Champions League coach. But for you, it all seems to have started at Real Sociedad. How did this childhood club shape your football career?

I was joking with them recently. They have to set a good example for the younger generation, because many of us former teammates and players are now head coaches in the Premier League, like Xabi Alonso, and we all had very successful playing careers. There's no doubt we learned a lot as children. When I go back home, spending time with them is always wonderful for me.

You mentioned some of them. Now, young coaches like Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta are also top managers in the Premier League, all coming from that youth system. What does it mean to you that the three of you are now managing not just three of the greatest clubs in the Premier League, but in the world?

I think it's fantastic. Indeed, our communication with each other might be less frequent now; we don't text as often since everyone is facing their own challenges. But it's still wonderful to compete against them on the pitch. I've been fortunate to have played against them before. Obviously, now we are rivals, and sometimes we even hope the other loses, but this is healthy, natural competition, and I am very happy to compete alongside them.

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