LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool are reportedly in advanced negotiations to appoint Andoni Iraola as their next head coach, a move that would see him replace Arne SlotCoach·Arne Slot, who departed the club on May 30, 2026. While some reports suggest an agreement is imminent, the Merseyside club faces competition from a BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga side that has also been in advanced discussions with Iraola.
The decision to part ways with Arne SlotCoach·Arne Slot came after a challenging 2025/26 season for LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool. Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the club's owners, made the "difficult decision" reluctantly, citing "lifeless performances at home" and concerns that the atmosphere around the club could "quickly turn toxic." Slot had initially enjoyed success, guiding LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool to their 20th league title in his debut 2024/25 season and securing Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League qualification in 2025/26. However, fan support waned during the latter campaign due to a "dull approach and poor results."
LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool finished the 2025/26 Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League season in fifth place with 60 points, a significant drop of 24 points from their title-winning campaign. Their record stood at 17 wins, 9 draws, and 12 losses, winning 44.74% of their matches. The team did not secure a victory in their last four consecutive matches, and conceded 53 goals in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League, marking their worst defensive return in 32 seasons. Across all competitions, LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool suffered 19 defeats in 2025/26. Despite the domestic struggles, their fifth-place finish ensures qualification for the 2026-2027 Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League league phase, and they reached the quarter-finals of the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League.
Andoni Iraola, who became a free agent at the end of May 2026 after his contract with Bournemouth expired, has emerged as a highly sought-after managerial talent. He led Bournemouth to a historic sixth-placed Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League finish in the 2025/26 season, securing Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League football for the first time in the club's history with their best-ever Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League points total of 57. Iraola's "front-footed style of play" is seen as a natural fit for LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool, who are keen to restore "fast-paced, high-octane attacking football" at AnfieldVenue·Anfield.
Bayer LeverkusenTeam·Bayer Leverkusen, a prominent BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga club, had also been in "advanced talks" with Iraola to replace Kasper HjulmandCoach·Kasper Hjulmand. Other clubs, including Crystal PalaceTeam·Crystal Palace, ChelseaTeam·Chelsea, Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United, and AC MilanTeam·AC Milan, had also shown interest in the Spanish coach. However, reports indicate that Iraola has prioritized the LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool position. The coming days are expected to bring further clarity on this significant managerial appointment, as LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool aims to rebound from a disappointing season and re-establish its competitive standing.
Rayan of Bournemouth celebrates after the match. Credit: Offside Sports Photography/IMAGO
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