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Beth Lindop
Multiple Authors
Sources tell ESPN that Liverpool is set to commence formal discussions with Andoni Iraola this week as they search for a replacement for Arne Slot.
Slot was dismissed by Liverpool on Saturday after experiencing a challenging season, where he oversaw 20 losses and guided the team to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League.
ESPN sources indicate that the decision to part ways with the Dutch manager was not taken lightly, given his success in the previous 2024-25 season when he clinched the Premier League title in his debut campaign, taking over from the iconic Jürgen Klopp.
Looking ahead, Liverpool aims to adopt a more dynamic and attacking style of play, with Iraola emerging as the top candidate. He is joined on a brief shortlist by Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeneß. Liverpool intends to have a new head coach appointed before the World Cup kicks off on June 11, providing ample time for the new manager to work with the squad and prepare for the upcoming season.
– Slot departs Liverpool after a tough season, yet his legacy remains intact
– Steven Gerrard on Andoni Iraola: ‘His approach fits Liverpool perfectly’
Iraola, who is currently without a contract after three successful years at Bournemouth, was initially recruited by Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes, who recognized his impressive record at Rayo Vallecano. The 43-year-old guided Bournemouth to a sixth-place finish last season, achieving European qualification for the first time in the club’s history.
Reports suggest that Iraola’s salary demand of £10 million ($13.4m) at Bournemouth, which was beyond the club’s reach, will not pose an issue at Liverpool, as Slot was earning a comparable salary.
Additional reporting by ESPN’s Mark Ogden contributed to this article.