Liverpool have reached an agreement with Andoni Iraola to become the club’s new head coach following the departure of Arne.
The 43-year old Spaniard is expected to take charge at Anfield ahead of the 2026/27 season after successful talks with the Premier League club. An official announcement is anticipated in the coming days as Liverpool finalize the remaining details of the appointment.
Iraola emerges as Liverpool’s preferred choice after an impressive spell with Bournemouth, where he guided the South Coast club to a historic sixth-place finish in the Premier League and secured qualification for European competition for the first time in the club’s history.
Liverpool began searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Arne Slot at the end of the season.
The Dutch manager left Anfield after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign that saw the Reds finish fifth in the Premier League despite winning the title during his first season in charge.
According to reports, Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes played a key role in the recruitment process. Hughes previously worked with Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is understood to have been heavily involved in discussions regarding the Spaniard’s potential move to Merseyside.
Iraola has built a strong reputation as one of Europe’s promising coaches. Before joining Bournemouth, he managed Spanish side Rayo Vallecano, where he earned praise for helping the club compete against teams with significantly larger budgets.
His success in England further enhanced his profile, with Bournemouth becoming one of the Premier League’s surprise packages under his leadership.
The Cherries produced several impressive performances during the recently concluded season, finishing ahead of a number of established clubs and earning a place in European football.
Reports indicate that Iraola is expected to bring members of his backroom staff to Liverpool as he prepares to begin a new chapter at one of England’s most successful clubs.
Liverpool are keen to complete the appointment quickly to allow sufficient time for pre-season planning and player recruitment ahead of the new campaign.
The expected appointment marks a significant moment for Liverpool as the club looks to return to competing for major trophies domestically and in Europe. Club officials believe Iraola’s coaching philosophy and track record of developing players make him a suitable candidate to lead the next phase of Liverpool’s project.
League and European honours while building on the foundations already in place at Anfield. The anticipated appointment would also represent the biggest managerial opportunity of Iraola’s career, with the Spaniard set to take charge of one of world football’s most recognized clubs.
