Liverpool Should Have Chased Five Elite Managers Before Settling for Iraola, Says Saunders

Liverpool's swift appointment of Andoni Iraola as their new manager has drawn criticism from an unexpected quarter, with former Reds favourite Dean Saunders suggesting the club should have cast their net far wider before making their choice.

The Merseyside outfit confirmed a verbal agreement with Iraola on Tuesday, moving quickly to replace Arne Slot following his departure over the weekend. Respected journalist David Ornstein has since confirmed details of the incoming boss's contract and backroom team.

While Iraola's promotion from Bournemouth represents a natural step up after guiding the south coast club to the Europa League, Saunders reckons Liverpool's recruitment team missed a trick. Speaking on talkSPORT, the former striker outlined his concerns about the demands of the Anfield hot seat.

"Only certain people can manage Liverpool," Saunders declared. "If I'm the recruitment team at Liverpool and I've sacked Slot, they would have thought that this bloke don't know how to win games every week. For Liverpool it's a disaster if you draw. At a top club the rules are different. You've got to win every single game and you've got to know how to do it."

He went on to emphasise the specific skill set required: "You think of people who know how to win football matches and know how to take the game to the opposition. They know how to break parking the bus down every week, they know how to do it."

Rather than immediately pursuing Iraola, Saunders believes Liverpool should have explored five heavyweight alternatives first—though he acknowledges most remain either unrealistic targets or unsuitable fits.

Top of his wishlist? A reunion with Jurgen Klopp, followed by Pep Guardiola himself. "Liverpool can pay the manager whatever they want," Saunders explained. "If we get any of them two, we're going to win games and leagues."

With those pipe dreams dismissed as impossible, Saunders worked through other possibilities. Luis Enrique's reluctance to leave PSG ruled him out, while José Mourinho's proven pedigree doesn't extend to managing mid-table outfits. Carlo Ancelotti presented another option—potentially available after the World Cup with Brazil—though Saunders suggested even that conversation should have come before considering younger prospects.

"I would go through that list, before I start going into [Xabi] Alonso, [Steven] Gerrard, Iraola, young managers," Saunders concluded. "I would start with the people who know how to win football matches."

Iraola does bring credentials from his Bournemouth spell, and he's been handed the task of restoring an attacking brand of football to Anfield. Whether he possesses the winning mentality Saunders demands remains to be seen.