Iraola Deal Edges Closer as Liverpool Prepare Formal Talks with Bournemouth Boss

Andoni Iraola appears destined for Liverpool, with the managerial merry-go-round spinning rapidly at Anfield following Arne Slot's weekend exit.

The Reds have parted company with their former head coach after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign saw them fail to defend their Premier League title. Slot's tenure unravelled amid growing discontent over his cautious methods and underwhelming results, ultimately sealing his fate despite Liverpool's earlier stated intention to retain him after securing Champions League qualification in a trophy-free season.

Enter Iraola. The Spaniard has overseen a transformation at Bournemouth that has caught the eye of several major suitors—Chelsea, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen have all circled—but the 43-year-old appears to have set his sights on Merseyside. His contract at the Vitality Stadium expires later this month, making him available without compensation.

According to reporting from The Athletic's James Pearce, formal talks between the club and Iraola are scheduled for this week, with expectations building that the appointment will materialise. Pearce has outlined five key factors behind Liverpool's pursuit of the former Rayo Vallecano manager.

Iraola's three-year Bournemouth tenure speaks volumes. He guided the club to 12th, ninth and sixth-placed finishes respectively, culminating in their first-ever European football qualification. This remarkable arc becomes even more striking when you consider the calibre of talent he's moved on—Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo have all departed during his watch, yet Bournemouth only improved.

His appointment also carries a practical advantage: Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, knows Iraola intimately after bringing him to Bournemouth in summer 2023 as Gary O'Neil's replacement. The Spaniard's profile fits the template Liverpool are pursuing—a head coach rather than a traditional manager, capable of implementing the tactical reset the club is chasing.

The wheels are very much in motion.