Liverpool is set to appoint Andoni Iraola as their new head coach after the Spaniard reportedly reached a verbal agreement over a two-year contract to take charge at Anfield, according to emerging reports.
The outgoing AFC Bournemouth manager has quickly become the leading candidate to replace sacked boss Arne Slot, who was dismissed by the club on Saturday following a disappointing spell in charge.
Iraola’s appointment is now believed to be at an advanced stage, with formal confirmation expected imminently if final details are concluded smoothly.
Reports indicate that the 43-year-old will sign a two-year deal, mirroring the length of his previous contracts at Bournemouth.
The agreement is said to reflect Liverpool’s desire for a structured short-term project with room for reassessment based on performance.
If finalised, Iraola will bring significant changes to the club’s technical setup. He is expected to arrive at Anfield with several trusted members of his coaching team, including Bournemouth assistant Tommy Elphick, as well as Pablo de la Torre, Shaun Cooper, and Tom Webber.
The move signals an intention to quickly establish continuity and familiarity within the new coaching structure.
Iraola leaves Bournemouth after guiding them to their highest-ever Premier League finish, securing sixth place and qualification for European football for the first time in the club’s history.
His high-intensity, attacking style of play earned widespread praise across the English top flight and made him one of the most admired young coaches in the league.
However, the decision to leave Bournemouth for Liverpool has drawn criticism from some quarters. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has reiterated his belief that Iraola may be taking a significant risk by departing the south coast club at this stage of his career.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Carragher argued that managing a European campaign at Bournemouth would have been the next logical step in Iraola’s development, particularly given the physical demands of his style of play.
