UMVA has learned that the managerial merry-go-round at Liverpool has taken a shocking turn, with Arne Slot's departure leaving the Reds searching for a new leader.
Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders believes the club should be targeting a proven top manager like Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho, rather than Andoni Iraola, who is expected to take the helm imminently.
Slot's exit came after a frustrating season that saw Liverpool finish fifth, far below expectations after a high-profile summer of spending on players like Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong.
Saunders, who played for Liverpool in the early '90s, doubts Iraola's ability to handle the pressure of managing an elite club, saying "only certain people can manage Liverpool" and that the Spaniard may not be up to the task.
Instead, Saunders would look to hire a manager with a proven track record of winning, suggesting the likes of Guardiola, Mourinho, Luis Enrique, or even a return for Jurgen Klopp.
Guardiola, in particular, is a manager who knows how to win football matches, having consistently delivered top-notch results throughout his career, and Saunders believes he would be an ideal candidate to lead Liverpool to success.
Iraola, on the other hand, has impressed with Bournemouth, leading them to sixth in the table, but Saunders is skeptical about his ability to step up to the pressure of managing a top club like Liverpool.
The Welshman believes that at a top club like Liverpool, the rules are different, and a manager must know how to win games every week, rather than just drawing or scraping by.
Saunders' comments come as Iraola is expected to sign a two-year contract at Anfield, marking a significant step up for the 43-year-old, who has previously managed AEK Larnaca, Mirandes, Rayo Vallecano, and Bournemouth.
