Andoni Iraola reveals true reason behind his unique contract decision at Liverpool

Andoni Iraola has explained the interesting reason he made a rare request before signing his Liverpool contract.

Former Bournemouth boss Iraola was officially appointed as Arne Slot’s successor on June 4, arriving at Anfield with a glowing reputation.

In his three seasons in charge of the Cherries, the Spaniard guided the club to 12th, ninth and sixth, and in doing so secured Europa League qualification for the first time.

Despite being appointed over a month ago, Iraola officially started work last week, with most of the first-team players expected to return to the AXA Training Centre this week.

Iraola will have just under two weeks to work with his players before pre-season kicks off, with Liverpool set to face Sunderland in Nashville, USA, on July 25, before friendlies against Wrexham in New York and Leeds United in Chicago.

Liverpool round off their pre-season with matches against Monaco and Como on August 9 and 16, with both set to take place at Anfield.

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Between now and the start of the Premier League season on August 23, Liverpool will likely allow players to leave while others could join, with Victor Muñoz already arriving from Osasuna, while the likes of Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa continue to be linked with exits.

Centre-back Jérémy Jacquet has also arrived, having previously agreed a deal to join the Reds in February.

Andoni Iraola explains reason for unique Liverpool contract

Iraola discussed the club’s transfer plans during his first press conference on July 13, with the Spaniard admitting Liverpool need to sign more players in order to adapt to his intense, attacking playing style.

"Obviously, we have signed two players already, but we need more players. We know this. The club is working on this," Iraola explained.

"Me, as a coach, selfishly, we want the players here from day one to train from pre-season. But we know football doesn't work like this. The club is working hard to get those signings."

Meanwhile, when Iraola joined the club, the fact he only signed a two-year contract surprised fans, with the Basque also penning short-term deals in his previous roles at Rayo Vallecano, AEK Larnaca, Mirandés and Bournemouth.

Now he has explained the reason behind the rare request, and it makes perfect sense.

When asked why he prefers two-year deals, he explained: "In terms of coaching contracts, they don't matter a lot. I don't want to be in a place because I have a contract. Because, 'well, we are not sure' - you have a contract so you stay there...

"I signed for two years, but it's basically year to year when you are a coach. We have seen a lot of managers who have long contracts, and because the club doesn't want them, because they don't want to stay... at the end, when you are a player, the contract is very important.

"When you are a manager I feel... you know, if they sack you it will be better because they will pay you a little bit more, or if I haven't worked also it's like... if you're happy, I am happy, don't worry. I hope I'm going to stay here two years or a lot more years. It will mean I have done a very good job. But I feel we have to earn it.

"Managers, we have to earn every year the right to continue, especially at clubs like Liverpool. But I've done it everywhere. I've done it always like this, yes."

Liverpool’s Premier League campaign gets underway away at Newcastle United on August 23.