Thiago returned to Liverpool's AXA Training Center to interview head coach Iraola for the club's official program. The two discussed the transition from player to coach, coaching philosophy, player management, and the impact of the Anfield atmosphere and fan support.
Thiago: Hmm. They need to figure out how to deal with these things themselves.
Iraola: Yes. I know you're angry because you're not playing. But sometimes, I think: "I need you to deal with it yourself. Next time you play those twenty minutes, you have to show me that I should give you more playing time."
Sometimes, you have to make demands of players. But sometimes, you also have to let players go through the process themselves so that they can mature and ultimately become better, right?
Thiago: You already have this consideration: how should I treat my teammates, give him some space to deal with it himself? Or say, okay, let's have a direct conversation, I'll go to him now.
Iraola: Yes. Sometimes, one thing you absolutely cannot do is lie to a player. You have to be very honest. When a player comes to you to talk, you can't tell him: "Don't worry, you'll get your chance." Because maybe he won't get a chance in the end.
I'd rather tell him: "Listen, you have to fight for your place. You're in a difficult situation now because in this position, I prefer to use another player." So, it's more like giving him a challenge.
Even if I feel in my heart that he will get playing time later, I don't like to tell him "Don't worry, you'll play."
Thiago: You can't make that kind of guarantee, right?
Iraola: Exactly, yes. Because that's a mistake. You promise: "Don't worry, you'll play in many games, you'll get playing time."
But maybe he doesn't play well, or his performance doesn't warrant that playing time. Then you can't deliver, and problems arise. So, it should be like this: "You have to earn playing time yourself. If you do well, I trust you. I think you have the level to play for us."
I also think you'll play in many games, but that depends on your performance, not me giving you playing time as a gift. It's not like that. You have to earn playing time by performing better than another player. That's the way it should be.
Thiago: Yes. The coach should be fair.
Iraola: But you can't be fair to everyone. I'd rather say it this way: every decision must put the team first.
Even if it's a difficult decision for me to make, as long as it's good for the team, you have to make that decision.
Thiago: As players, we try some tricks and moves on the field, and after the first time, we think: "That didn't work." Have you tried anything like that as a coach?
Iraola: Yes, many times. Sometimes, you try to adjust a player's position.
In training, they don't expect you to put a player who isn't a right-back in that position. You just tell him: "Okay, you play right-back." Without much explanation.
Then, you observe his reaction. See if he likes the arrangement, if he doesn't, if he's comfortable. Maybe this isn't an arrangement for the short term, but you might already be thinking about putting him in that position later. I think we should try different things. When you first start as a coach, as a head coach, you might make the opposite mistake: trying to change too many things in a short time.
Because after one game, you'll say: "No, next game I'm going to use wing-backs, play with three at the back."
Then, in the next game, you'll say: "No, because they play like this, I'm going to switch to a diamond midfield and play with two strikers." Later you'll realize that we weren't ready to do that at all.
Maybe in your mind, these arrangements look great, but the team isn't ready. It's not about how much you know, or what you want to do, but about what the players can do.
I think your ideas need to maintain a certain consistency. With experience, you gradually learn to make fewer changes.
Thiago: Hmm. Yes, that's an important message. The most important thing is the message you convey. As a player, when you pass the ball, you're conveying a message. As a coach, the decisions you make and the things you say also convey messages. How important is it for a coach to have senior players or more experienced players? What kind of relationship do you build with these players? Do you give them information and let them convey it to other teammates, or do you tell them some things and let them decide how to handle it themselves?
Iraola: I think you have to first establish a basic framework for the team. We have some non-negotiable principles. This is how we have to play our game.
But sometimes, you also have to trust the players. For example, a player comes over at halftime and says: "We have this problem because the opponent has a two-on-one here, and our teammates aren't getting there in time."
Sometimes, you just have to tell him: "Listen, you're a right-back, you've played three hundred games for Liverpool. If you have a problem, communicate with the teammate in front of you and solve it."
You understand? You don't need to explain every detail to the players, because sometimes, the players know better what to do than you do. To be honest, that's how it is, because they feel it firsthand on the field.
I really like it when they come to me and say: "What do you think about us doing this? And then..."
Sometimes, I agree, sometimes I don't. But by doing this, they are also telling me: "I'm always watching the game, I'm thinking about the team as a whole, I'm very committed." I really like having such players.
Thiago: That's great. Just one more thing, I think you'll have a lot of work ahead. You're going to play nine games in twenty-eight or twenty-nine days, which will definitely be intense. But we came here for this, right? How important are this city, the fans, and the atmosphere here in coping with such a schedule? Not just home games, I mean, even away games, the fans will still be there to support you.
Iraola: Yes. For us, this is a huge advantage, something we must make good use of. With such an intense schedule, we play a game every three days. Many times, you will be very tired, and the players' legs will not be so easy, they must dig out a little more energy from themselves. And at that time, you will feel the support of all the fans.
Sometimes, I feel Anfield is a stadium where the fans understand the game very well. They can sense when we need energy. For example, when the game reaches the seventy-fifth minute, and we are leading 2-1, they will give us that kind of support.
This is a huge help, and a huge advantage we have. Of course, we must also give back. Because everyone will demand that we give our all, demand that we chase every ball, and demand that we always maintain this performance. As long as we do these things, we can get the advantage that Anfield brings. In my opinion, this advantage is very great.
Thiago: Yes. As a player, my feeling is that the fans first understand the players, because the players also understand this club. From my understanding of your football philosophy over the years, it fits very well here. If the fans can also understand this, I think you will experience many magical nights here, many Champions League nights, and Premier League nights.
Iraola: This is the goal, this is the goal. And I felt it from the beginning. I can directly mention a few games, such as the Champions League match against Atlético Madrid, and the League Cup match against Tottenham.
I like night games, games that kick off late at night. For me, the atmosphere at Anfield at that time is different. You feel how lucky you are to be there on those nights, to be part of the team. And that's why we're all here.
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