Andoni Iraola compared to Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool 'concern' raised

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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesAndoni IraolaLiverpool is closing in on the appointment of Andoni Iraola as its new manager, with Glen Johnson raising concerns over the Spaniard's lack of European experience while drawing comparisons with Brendan RodgersFormer Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is joining Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool's impending appointment of Andoni Iraola has drawn comparisons to the club's decision to install Brendan Rodgers as manager 14 years ago.However, former Reds defender Glen Johnson is confident that the Liverpool players will not be concerned by the Spaniard's relatively limited managerial experience, so long as results go their way. Iraola, who departed Bournemouth at the conclusion of the season, is set to replace the dismissed Arne Slot in the dugout, tasked with restoring an attacking, high-tempo brand of football to the side.While the 43-year-old boasts three years of Premier League experience, he will follow in the footsteps of Rodgers — who failed to win silverware before being fired after just over three years in charge — becoming only the second Liverpool managerial appointment since Bill Shankly to have either not won a domestic championship as a manager or come through the backroom staff at Anfield.Johnson, who played under Rodgers at Liverpool, remarked: "There are similarities in the two situations."But I hope it's not the same process."Brendan Rodgers came into Liverpool and tried to mimic Jose Mourinho in terms of his training style and mentality, and I don't think Iraola will be going into Liverpool trying to copy a blueprint for success.Brendan Rodgers was fired by Liverpool just over a decade ago(Image: Getty Images)"It was a great place to start for Brendan, and it worked for us at the time, but the lack of experience of both Brendan and Iraola doesn't matter to players."I know from experience that players just want to win, and they won't care about the credentials of the manager if they are winning week in, week out and challenging at the top of the league."Much like Rodgers before him, Iraola has yet to manage a top-tier club or lead a side in European competition.Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO via LiveFootballTickets, Johnson remarked: "It is something that concerns me."The unknown is always going to be a question mark until he gets his chance to manage an elite club; he has that chance now."No disrespect to Bournemouth, but he is now managing at one of the biggest clubs in world football with some of the best players in the world at his disposal."It is going to be a challenge for him to adapt to the pressures, but the club must believe in him, or they wouldn't have appointed him."He's been getting results with a much weaker squad than what Liverpool have, so you like to think the sky is the limit for him once he gets the squad onside and playing his technical style of football.

There will always be concerns until he proves he can handle it."Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Andoni IraolaArne SlotBrendan RodgersAFC BournemouthLiverpool FC