05 Apr 2026 10:42:06
I think it will end up being Alonso and I will of course support that and see the reasoning.

I still think my realistic choice (first choices being Enrique/Klopp return) is Iraola.

Doesn't get mentioned enough on the conversation in my opinion. He would be my choice.

Prem experience.
Worked through tough times and came out other side.


Has had created multiple star players.
Every time he starts building something, team gets ripped apart.
I'd love it if we were the ones that would give him the chance to build something and not rip it apart when it's coming to fruition.
Plus he plays a very exciting brand of football that I think would be really successful with the right players.

1.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 11:20:57
Back end of last year, before Alonso got sacked, I did mention him as an ideal successor. I think Carra did say he was well liked by Hughes and Co.

2.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 11:22:01
Didn't someone itk post that he going to Utd?

3.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 11:26:18
Iraola needs one more job before he's ready for a top club. He will need to demonstrate how he can deal with more than 50% of games being against low blocks. And, ideally, needs to win something too.

The leap to Liverpool would be too big in one step imo.

4.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 11:58:38
My pick is Enrique.

Think we need experience alongside the energy he'd bring.

{Ed001's Note - I don't believe there to be any chance in hell of getting him right now, otherwise I think he would be just about everyone's first pick.}

5.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 12:16:02
Enrique has always been a pipe dream.

As for Iraola, I fully agree with Pelican. Iraola should go get some exp. at a big club. Handle all that pressure to win, win, and then come back stronger.

With more pedigree than just "I play good football and can keep Bournemouth up in the PL".

6.) 05 Apr 2026
05 Apr 2026 12:59:22
Iraola has little more than a few gold stars to his name whilst Xabi took Leverkusen from 17th place to a domestic double and a record 51 game unbeaten streak. Come on, let's get real here, it's a one horse race.

No disrespect to Iraola, he has done very well with lesser teams and had some big wins against some of the giants of football along the way but we're not a lesser team, we're not looking to just climb a few mid-table places, and if we don't snap up Alonso now, somebody else will.

7.) 06 Apr 2026
06 Apr 2026 12:20:57
ed1 - no doubt, just think we need experience of an older head along with the style and charisma.