Iñigo Pérez and Andoni Iraola share a connection stretching back more than two decades, from Athletic Club's academy to playing together and working on the same coaching staff. A Guardian profile published before Villarreal's meeting with Liverpool traces how that partnership led towards opposing Champions League dugouts.
Pérez had intended to become Iraola's assistant at Bournemouth. A refused work permit disrupted the move and eventually helped redirect him towards a head-coaching career in Spain.
A relationship formed at Athletic
Pérez arrived at Athletic's academy in 2002, aged 14, when Iraola was 19 and approaching his senior debut. They played together in the first team from 2009 and developed a shared interest in tactics and coaching.
Former team-mates describe both as observant, thoughtful and able to connect with others. Under Marcelo Bielsa, they discussed methods and questioned assistants to understand the reasoning behind the work.
After Pérez retired, Iraola brought him to Rayo as an assistant. He then wanted Pérez and fitness coach Pablo de la Torre alongside him at Bournemouth.
A setback creates another opportunity
Bournemouth pursued a work permit, including an application to an FA exceptions panel, without success. Pérez eventually returned to Spain. When Rayo dismissed Francisco Rodríguez in early 2024, he accepted the head coach's role with Iraola's encouragement.
Their later paths brought Pérez to Villarreal and Iraola to Liverpool. They remain in regular contact, although meeting as opponents changes the relationship for the duration of a match. The profile centres on that shared development rather than the result at Anfield.