Liverpool reach Andoni Iraola agreement as contract details emerge | Football | Sport
Andoni Iraola is set to agree a two-year deal at Liverpool to succeed Arne Slot and is expected to be presented before the end of this week. The Athletic reports that the Reds have reached a verbal agreement with their prospective new boss.
The two-year agreement is in keeping with the deals he signed while in charge of Bournemouth. His contract with the Cherries is due to expire at the end of the month.
Iraola wants to bring his backroom team from the south coast to Anfield with him. The 43-year-old wants Pablo de la Torre, Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper and Tom Webber to join him in the dugout on Merseyside and work is said to be ongoing over the make-up of his staff.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has led discussions with Iraola, having been the figure who appointed him as Bournemouth’s head coach in 2023. The Basque-born coach spent three years with the Cherries and led the club to 12th, ninth and sixth place finishes as he ended his time with the club with Europa League qualification.
In addition to Hughes, Iraola will also be familiar with full-back Milos Kerkez who Liverpool signed from Bournemouth last summer. The Reds will become the fifth team of his managerial career after spells with AEK Larnaca, Mirandes, Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth.
The Merseyside club have moved quickly after deciding to part ways with Arne Slot at the weekend. The Dutchman had looked to say despite failing to back up his debut season’s title win, as Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League.
In a statement, Liverpool said: “We have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward. Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but.”
“Tthe conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction,” they added. “That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him.
“Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.”
Following the final match of the season, Iraola suggested he would take his time over any decision on his future. He had announced his departure in April.
“It’s half-term for the kids, I will stay in Bournemouth until July,” he said. “Tomorrow, I will celebrate with the staff, I will go home at least for one week and take my time to make this decision [on what is next].”
Before Liverpool made their move, Iraola had been linked to the likes of Bayer Leverkusen. He was also mentioned in relation to Manchester United and Chelsea before they appointed Michael Carrick and Xabi Alonso respectively.
