Iñigo Pérez meets Iraola again: Villarreal face Liverpool at Anfield

Iñigo Pérez heads to Anfield with Villarreal for the Champions League clash against Liverpool, with a career detour that started in England’s visa process. The 36-year-old’s path to coaching was supposed to include a longer spell in the UK, but he was denied a work permit, and a panel later ruled he couldn’t contribute to English football. “He wished me luck and said he was there for me,” Pérez said, recalling the call that came from Andoni Iraola as he began his first day as head coach.

The two have known each other for more than 20 years, since their time together at Athletic Bilbao. They lived in the same residency, came through the same academy and played in the same team. Their first-team appearances together began in October 2009, long before Iraola retired in 2016 and moved into coaching two years later, while Pérez continued his own route in the same direction.

From Athletic to the touchline

The Guardian also cites voices from that era: Carlos Gurpegui described their sharp thinking, and goalkeeper Raúl Fernández added a personal detail from their days together. Still, the biggest twist is that the partnership that might have repeated itself doesn’t get a second act—Pérez now lines up as Iraola’s opponent.

Pérez’s feelings are clear. “I’m looking forward to seeing him; we speak continuously, always there,” he said. “To encounter each other pitchside is emotional… but it’s a very nice story.”