Villarreal’s Iñigo Pérez ready to meet Iraola again in test of old bond

Refused a work permit at Bournemouth, Pérez comes face to face with Liverpool’s head coach in Champions League On Iñigo Pérez’s first day as a head coach he took a call from Andoni Iraola, just as he had every day for months.

They had known each other for 22 years, lived in the same residency, come through the same academy and played in the same team; they had worked side by side, manager and assistant, and embarked on an adventure together.

Now, though, Pérez was having to go it alone.

At 36, he had become what his friend thought he would be from the moment they met, just not so soon.

“He wished me luck and said he was there for me,” Pérez said, “said that if I ever needed anything …” Well, maybe not anything .

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