Andoni Iraola has emerged as the primary candidate to take over the head coaching position at Liverpool following the departure of Arne Slot, according to sources cited by ESPN.
The 43-year-old is currently a free agent after concluding his tenure at Premier League side AFC Bournemouth, where he played a key role in leading the club to its most successful league season, culminating with their first-ever qualification for the Europa League.
ESPN sources indicate that Liverpool is keen to evaluate various candidates before finalizing their choice to succeed Slot, who was dismissed on Saturday after two years at the helm. Nonetheless, despite plans to explore the market, Iraola has emerged as the leading contender due to several advantageous factors.
Slot’s exit was influenced partly by Liverpool’s aspiration to implement a more aggressive, high-energy style of play, a philosophy that Iraola successfully executed at Bournemouth.
Having immediate availability, Iraola could potentially begin at Anfield without delay. His longstanding rapport with Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director—who previously hired him at Bournemouth in 2023—also makes him a standout candidate for the position.
While Iraola’s previous salary demand of £10 million a year at Bournemouth was a sticking point for the club, sources suggest this won’t be a concern for Liverpool, where Slot was on a comparable contract.
Before Slot’s appointment, Liverpool had assessed Iraola as a long-term successor to Jurgen Klopp four years ago, viewing him as an emerging talent with proven experience in the Premier League.
Although VfB Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and RC Lens coach Pierre Sage have their own admirers within the club, Iraola’s Premier League experience with Bournemouth and his connection to Hughes solidify his position as the frontrunner for the role.