G10

How did the Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola moves unfold? Both are represented by the same agent, Iñaki Ibáñez, which must have been tricky for him. I'm convinced Xabi Alonso was Liverpool's top choice after Arne Slot, and Chelsea's No.1 target too. The message coming back, though, was that Liverpool weren't prepared to move Slot. When Chelsea entered the picture, the initial reaction was hesitation by his entourage. Chelsea? Not sure. But gradually the idea grew on Xabi and his family. London. A young squad. No European football. Room for growth. A historic club with huge potential in the best league in the world. And the promised of changing the model as it has shown to be insufficient. One phrase Xabi's camp kept repeating: "Two plus two is not always four." The logical move might have been to wait. If things went wrong at Liverpool, perhaps the Anfield job would become available. Xabi once told me it was a dream to manage there. But football doesn't always follow logic. In reality, only one manager in the world can truly pick and choose his next destination: Pep Guardiola. So Chelsea went for it in a big way and Xabi accepted. When Liverpool eventually moved for a new manager, Richard Hughes already knew Iraola well. And the more you think about it, the more it makes sense. Iraola's values fit Liverpool. He's Basque, and there are surprising similarities with Scouse culture: collectivism, humility, hard work, generosity, community spirit. He sees himself as part of a bigger whole rather than the centre of it. It's impossible to say who would have been the better appointment. Xabi Alonso is further along in his managerial journey. Iraola is still building his path. But what they share is a deep understanding of the game and of what modern football demands. My feeling? Both are going to succeed.