Liverpool ramp up pursuit of Andoni Iraola as talks begin
Liverpool have opened talks with Andoni Iraola as they look to appoint the former Bournemouth manager as the successor to the sacked Arne Slot.
Sporting director Richard Hughes, who took Iraola to Bournemouth three years ago, is leading Liverpool’s quest for a new manager.
They have identified Iraola, who left Bournemouth after taking them to the highest finish in their history, believing the Spaniard can play the fast, aggressive football they want and which Slot’s side failed to do last season.
Liverpool want to make a swift appointment but are following a process. They are also considering Lens’ Pierre Sage and Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness but Iraola is the early frontrunner and their preferred candidate at the moment.
However, they are yet to approach anyone else with a view to being part of his backroom staff, despite links with the former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
Iraola, who has also been a target for Crystal Palace, Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, managed Rayo Vallecano before Bournemouth, where he finished 12th, ninth and then sixth.
Slot was dismissed on Saturday, six days after a season when Liverpool, who were champions in 2025, only came fifth with a mere 60 points.
