Liverpool: Andoni Iraola reveals talks with other clubs ahead of Anfield move

When you include Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery and Xabi Alonso, all four coaches of teams that finished in the Premier League’s top 10 last season hail from the Basque region.

“They ask me a lot why so many Basque managers have come to this level in particular and why so many Spanish teams have won so many things,” Iraola said.

“I always say that the sense of togetherness is very important. Spain has never had the best athletes. If you analyze, in swimming, track and field, they usually don’t win medals.

“But they are very good in team sports. They usually have good teams in football, basketball, handball, hockey. We always put the team first.

“An example is someone like Rodri. He didn’t score or assist but in the end they won the World Cup and he won player of the tournament. Team-first has always been integral to how we grew up.

“There are many different styles in Spanish coaching. With the national team, they always say tiki-taka, passing, but even at the World Cup you can see them pressing very well, pressing high.

“Yes, they controlled the game with the ball, but it was another part without the ball where everyone was doing their job. It was being active without the ball.”