Xabi Alonso urged Chelsea to develop a “hunger” for victory in his first press conference as Blues boss at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
Alonso, 44-year old, also shared his opinions on the ongoing Fifa World Cup and his memories from his own involvement in Spain’s triumph in 2010. The former Real Madrid manager fought shy of discussing specific targets for Chelsea in his first season in charge in west London but said European qualification was an aim.
“For sure that’s a goal,” he said.
“But to reach that goal, you need to do many right things, and to be part of that process, how do we want to play? How do we want to see ourselves? How do we want to approach a game wherever we go?
“That’s my job. That’s why I am really looking forward to having the whole squad. At the moment we have some bids, but early days so far.
“But for sure, we want to be there and time will tell. We are ambitious and we at Chelsea need to share that energy, that ambition, as well as that hunger to want to have success.”
Meanwhile, Andoni Iraola said on Monday he wants to enjoy the “magic” linked with being the manager of Liverpool but is determined his Anfield appointment does not change him fundamentally.
The former Bournemouth boss is well aware of the magnitude of the position he holds, with Liverpool’s demand for success exemplified by the fact he arrived on Merseyside as a result of the six-time European champions sacking Arne Slot a year after the Dutchman led the club to the English Premier League title.
“Until I go through certain experiences I will not fully know, but I’m here to experience those situations, I’m ready for it,” said the 44-year-old Iraola in his first press conference as Liverpool manager.
“I understand this is a massive club. Everything that I’m going to say now is going to get the biggest scrutiny. You have to be very aware of the mistakes but I wouldn’t like to be too careful.
“I would like to act quite normally: I’m not going to live in my bubble – just training ground, home. I would like also to go to the city, experience the city – I know some places. But it’s part also of the magic of being the Liverpool manager and I would like not to change too much,” the Spaniard added.
Liverpool finished a disappointing fifth in the Premier League table last season, losing 12 matches, and Iraola understands the need to refresh his squad following the recent departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.
“Obviously, we’ve signed two players already (centre-back Jeremy Jacquet and winger Victor Munoz) but we need more players, we know this,” Iraola noted.
“As a coach, selfishly, I want the players here from day one ready to train for pre-season but understand football doesn’t work like this. I know the club is working hard for those signings and I’m trying to help also.”
Iraola, meanwhile, wants to restore trust with fans frustrated by the team’s performances under Slot by providing the kind of attacking football not seen at Anfield since the end of Jürgen Klopp’s reign in 2024.
“I would like to give them a team that they can feel proud of,” he said.
“I think football – and especially Liverpool – is about connecting: connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters. We have to be a team that works hard, intense, aggressive, vertical so everyone can be identified and everyone can feel comfortable supporting this team.” | AFP
