Ex-Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez asserts that the newly appointed Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola holds an advantage over Chelsea's Xabi Alonso due to his extensive experience in the Premier League.
While Benitez commended Alonso's tactical acumen and achievements at Bayer Leverkusen, he emphasized that Iraola's previous three-year tenure at Bournemouth facilitates his adaptation to a prestigious club like Liverpool.
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In a discussion with Sky Sports, the seasoned coach expressed confidence that both Iraola and Alonso will thrive in the upcoming months, but he believes the former possesses a significant edge over his fellow Basque coach.
“Iraola has excelled at Bournemouth. I observed his work at Rayo Vallecano and was quite impressed. Now he faces a new challenge at Liverpool,” he shared with Sky Sports.
“Liverpool is a colossal club. However, I think he benefits from his familiarity with the league. Transitioning to the Premier League from abroad can be quite challenging.
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“Xabi is a very astute manager. He performed exceptionally well with Leverkusen; that was remarkable. Managing Real Madrid is notoriously complex. He has Premier League experience as a player, but this will be his inaugural management role in this league.
“That presents a challenge, yet he possesses the capabilities to succeed.”
