{"id":5684,"date":"2026-09-21T17:04:24","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T17:04:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5684"},"modified":"2026-09-21T17:04:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T17:04:24","slug":"who-has-made-the-better-start-xabi-alonso-and-liverpool-boss-andoni-iraola-compared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5684","title":{"rendered":"Who has made the better start? Xabi Alonso and Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola compared"},"content":{"rendered":"


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There is a world where Xabi Alonso could have become the new Liverpool manager, and Andoni Iraola moved to Chelsea in the summer. But Iraola replaced Arne Slot, and Alonso moved to London.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alonso<\/a> has always been seen as a future Liverpool manager given his playing career at Anfield. He is still a Liverpool icon after his goal in the 2005 Champions League comeback against AC Milan in Istanbul.<\/p>\n

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But immediately after Chelsea\u2019s<\/a> FA Cup final loss to Man City, the Blues announced that Alonso would be the club\u2019s next manager. Then, a few weeks later, Iraola<\/a> had replaced Slot in the Anfield dugout.<\/p>\n

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How would you rate Xabi Alonso’s first weeks at Stamford Bridge?<\/h3>\n

What has worked, and what needs improving? \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Who has made the better start \u2013 Iraola or Alonso?<\/h2>\n

Iraola was strongly linked with the Chelsea job,<\/a> after confirming he would be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season. If we look at the Premier League table, it would be easy to say Iraola has started better.<\/p>\n

Liverpool sit in sixth place, unbeaten after five Premier League games, winning two and drawing three. On the weekend, Iraola returned to The Vitality and ended Bournemouth\u2019s unbeaten start with a 1-0 victory.<\/p>\n

The Reds are also into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, like Chelsea, after beating Tottenham while getting the better of Diego Simeone\u2019s Atletico Madrid. Iraola has made an excellent start to life at Anfield.<\/p>\n

But Liverpool have had an easy start to the Premier League. No clubs inside the top eight so far, facing Forest, Ipswich, Fulham and Newcastle before beating Bournemouth. They drew three of those first four.<\/p>\n

Alonso\u2019s side, meanwhile, have beaten Brighton as well as Fulham. They drew against a Hull side that got the better of Man United, beat fifth-placed Leeds in the Cup, and came close to a result against Arsenal.<\/p>\n

Liverpool take on Man City at Anfield immediately after the break, before going to Brentford \u2013 where Alonso watched his side lose 3-0. Then the Reds host Arsenal\u2019s nemesis, Fabian Hurzeler\u2019s Brighton<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chelsea\u2019s next three games are slightly easier on paper after the break. Bournemouth at home, then Everton away, and Tottenham at home. Three games where fans will expect six points at a minimum.<\/p>\n

After the next three games for each side, Alonso and Iraola can be judged better on the job they are doing at Chelsea and Liverpool. Right now, though, Iraola\u2019s Liverpool sit higher in the table than Chelsea.<\/p>\n

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