Liverpool reach verbal agreement with Andoni Iraola over head coach role

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Liverpool reach verbal agreement with Andoni Iraola over head coach role

Iraola was quickly seen as the frontrunner for the job following Saturday's sacking of Arne Slot. Michael Steele/Getty Images

By David Ornstein

June 2, 2026 Updated June 3, 2026 3:39 am GMT+7

Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement with Andoni Iraola to make him their new head coach.

Iraola quickly emerged as the clear favourite to take over at Anfield after Saturday’s departure of Arne Slot.

The Spaniard, 43, can be expected to join on a two-year contract — in line with both of the deals he signed while in charge of Bournemouth — according to multiple sources briefed on the situation.

Iraola had been due to leave the south coast club when his terms expire at the end of this month and work continues over the make-up of his backroom staff.

He wants to be accompanied by Pablo de la Torre, Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper and Tom Webber, who were all members of his coaching and backroom staff at Bournemouth.

If all goes to plan, Liverpool will appoint and present Iraola before the week concludes. Would Iraola be a good tactical fit at Liverpool? Liam Tharme

The Athletic reported earlier on Tuesday discussions with Iraola have been led by sporting director Richard Hughes, who knows Iraola well having appointed him as Gary O’Neil’s successor at Bournemouth in the summer of 2023.

During his three years in charge at Bournemouth, Iraola oversaw 12th, ninth and sixth placed Premier League finishes, as well as securing Europa League qualification for the first time in their history.

‘No time to lose for Iraola at Anfield’

Analysis from Liverpool correspondent James Pearce

It’s no surprise that Liverpool’s talks with Andoni Iraola have advanced so rapidly with a verbal agreement now in place.

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When Arne Slot was sacked last Saturday, senior Anfield figures were determined to make a swift appointment and the Spanish coach was always their first choice for the vacancy.

With Iraola keen to take on the challenge after parting company with Bournemouth, it was simply a case of agreeing personal terms and sorting out the make-up of his backroom staff.

There is no time to lose with so much to be addressed at Anfield this summer. There are some glaring gaps in the squad following the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate as free agents. For others such as Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, the future is uncertain as they enter the final year of their current deals.

Recruitment talks will be led by sporting director Richard Hughes with how the club’s budget is allocated by Fenway Sports Group CEO of football Michael Edwards. However, they will want Iraola’s input in terms of where he believes the squad needs bolstering.

Iraola has got the job on the basis that Liverpool believe he can install the kind of front-foot, attacking brand of football supporters want to see.

As well as bringing in new players to help realise that vision, Iraola will also need to revive the fortunes of those players who alarmingly lost their way over the course of last season. With pre-season starting in early July, the clock is ticking.

What does Iraola bring to his teams?

Analysis by Thom Harris

At the heart of Iraola’s outstanding time at Bournemouth was a commitment to a high-intensity system that suits a carefully-crafted squad.

Once a relatively passive side without the ball, Bournemouth quickly became the standard-bearers for aggressive, front-footed pressing and athleticism, seeking to smother opposition build-up at source rather than sink into a low defensive block.

From there, they look to attack quickly and directly whenever they steal possession.

The manager demands split-second decision-making from his players, switching from zonal to man-to-man marking systems when they sense an opportunity to close in. It relies on collective cohesion from back to front, and team-mates on high alert to jump forward in support once the first player commits to the press.

The transformation has been wholesale. And though it took time for his ideas to sink in, the disruptive nature of Iraola’s approach quickly began to bear fruit.

David Ornstein joined The Athletic in October 2019 after 12 years as a sports journalist and correspondent at the BBC. In the role of Football Correspondent, he is responsible for producing exclusive and original stories and interviews, offering unique insight and analysis. He works across video, audio and the written word.

Tagged To: Premier League Liverpool Bournemouth

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