Liverpool Set To Hold Formal Talks With Iraola

Liverpool are expected to hold initial discussions with Andoni Iraola later this week as they move quickly to fill their managerial vacancy.

The Merseyside club dismissed Arne Slot on Saturday, only one year after the Dutch coach led them to the English title.

A swift appointment is now a priority, with Iraola—who is due to leave Bournemouth this summer—emerging as the frontrunner.

The 43-year-old Spaniard guided the Cherries to a historic sixth-place finish in the Premier League, just three points behind Liverpool and one place below them, securing Europa League football for the club. Iraola announced his departure in April and has also attracted interest from Crystal Palace and AC Milan.

The decision to part ways with Slot was driven by Michael Edwards, CEO of Fenway Sports Group, and sporting director Richard Hughes, who feel Liverpool must adopt a more aggressive, high-tempo, and proactive style.

Hughes previously worked with Iraola at Bournemouth, where he served as technical director before moving to Anfield in 2024.

Despite qualifying for the Champions League, Liverpool finished the season with only 60 points—their lowest since 2015–16 and a full 25 behind champions Arsenal.

Over the summer, the club shattered British spending records, laying out £415 million on six new players. That included a £125 million deal for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, breaking the UK transfer record, after previously signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a club-record £116 million.

Iraola, a former Spain right-back who spent most of his career at Athletic Bilbao, began his coaching journey in Cyprus with AEK Larnaca. He later managed Mirandés and Rayo Vallecano in Spain before taking over at Bournemouth in 2023.