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Inigo Perez faces Andoni Iraola in Champions League match

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 19, 2026, 6:25 PM

Last updated Oct 19, 2026

Inigo Perez faces Andoni Iraola in Champions League match

Summary

Inigo Perez, now the head coach of Villarreal, meets his former colleague Andoni Iraola at Anfield in the Champions League. Perez was previously denied a work visa in England, which altered his coaching trajectory. The match represents a significant clash between two Basque managers with a shared history but now competitive roles. Their paths diverged due to Brexit-related regulations affecting coaching permits in the UK.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Inigo Perez leads Villarreal against Liverpool on October 19, 2026.
•Perez and Iraola share a long history, having worked together previously.
•Brexit regulations prevented Perez from working in England earlier.
•Iraola transitioned to Bournemouth and then Liverpool amid these changes.
•Both managers are looking to establish their teams in the Champions League.

Latest Updates

6:25 PMYahoo Sports — How Brexit and circumstance set up ‘special game’ for Andoni Iraola and his former assistant

What they're saying

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Inigo Perez previously worked with the Liverpool boss but was denied a working visa in England and will now take on his fellow Spaniard in the Champions League as Villarreal’s head coach
— Yahoo Sports

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