Liverpool has confirmed the appointment of Andoni Iraola as its new head coach following the dismissal of Arne Slot. The 43-year-old Spanish manager has signed a two-year contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2027/28 season.
The announcement came just six days after Liverpool decided to part ways with Slot. The club moved swiftly to identify and secure Iraola, the former Bournemouth head coach, as their preferred replacement. While other candidates including Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness and Pierre Sage of Lens were considered, Iraola was Liverpool's favored option and the only manager formally interviewed for the position.
Several top European clubs, including AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, and Crystal Palace, had expressed interest in securing Iraola's services. However, the coach made clear from the outset that Liverpool was the only club he wanted to join after his contract with Bournemouth expired.
Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes, who also appointed Iraola at Bournemouth in 2023, led the approach. Hughes and Michael Edwards, Liverpool's chief executive of football, conducted a review into the team's poor title defense under Slot and concluded that a managerial change was necessary. They determined that a more aggressive, attacking style was needed to return the club to winning ways.
Formal negotiations with Iraola and his agent began earlier this week and progressed smoothly. The manager arrived on Merseyside on Thursday to complete the deal.
Speaking to Liverpool's media channel, Iraola expressed his understanding of the challenge ahead. "At the beginning when you arrive at any club, I think you need to kind of prove a little bit yourself," he said. "You need to earn the right also to belong. I want to do this as quickly as possible so I can also celebrate with them."
On his ambitions, Iraola stated: "I think Liverpool gives me the chance to coach top players, and top players give you the chance to fight for titles. To win titles. Obviously when you arrive at a place, you cannot promise everything. But it's true that I understand where I'm coming and what is expected. I'm ready for the challenge."
Iraola has built his reputation through his work with Bournemouth, where he established an exciting, high-pressing team while improving the club year-on-year despite limited resources compared to rivals. Liverpool's board was particularly attracted to his proven Premier League experience, his ability to develop individual and collective player performance, and his leadership qualities.
Iraola intends to bring members of his backroom team from Bournemouth, including assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, analyst Tom Webber, and fitness coach Pablo de la Torre to Anfield, though Liverpool has not yet finalized all additions to the coaching staff.