Andoni Iraola wanted the Man Utd job before Liverpool, Michael Carrick already has an advantage

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Andoni Iraola was considered by Manchester United as a head coach candidate but he is now the favourite for the Liverpool job.

In the 2025/26 season, Manchester United did the double over Liverpool and finished above Arne Slot’s side in the table.

Slot was sacked by Liverpool this week after an end-of-season review, and now former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is the favourite to replace him.

Iraola was linked to United this season as Ineos assessed who should replace Ruben Amorim in the permanent head coach role.

What are your thoughts on Liverpool sacking Arne Slot and hiring Andoni Iraola?

Do you expect United to beat them home and away again next season?

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Andoni Iraola wanted to join Man Utd and Liverpool know it

Speaking on his YouTube channel in April, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that Iraola was open to the United job.

“I’m told that he would be open to that for sure,” Romano said on Iraola to United.

Ultimately, United did not want Iraola as they had a better option in the shape of Carrick.

Unlike Iraola, Carrick only wanted the United job, and for him it is the pinnacle of football management opportunities.

Liverpool cannot say the same for Iraola, as he would have jumped at the opportunity to manage at Old Trafford this summer.

What are Michael Carrick’s three biggest priorities this summer to prepare for 2026/27?🤔

The Manchester United head coach has so much work to do…

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Liverpool fans could turn on Andoni Iraola

Slot won the Premier League at Liverpool and yet fans at Anfield still turned on him in the next season.

Liverpool fans will know that Iraola wanted to manage United, their arch-rivals, and that will spring to mind when things get rough for the Spaniard.

READ MORE: Man Utd fans settle debate on whether Michael Carrick should be appointed permanently amid Andoni Iraola links

In contrast, United fans support Carrick and were extremely in favour of his permanent appointment this season.

When the two clubs go head-to-head next summer, United fans know Carrick is exactly where he always wanted to be. The same cannot be said for Iraola at Liverpool.