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Liverpool open talks with Iraola to replace Arne Slot at Anfield
02nd June, 2026 02:27 PM
Liverpool have officially opened discussions with Andoni Iraola regarding the club’s vacant managerial position following the dismissal of Arne Slot.
The negotiations are being overseen by sporting director Richard Hughes, who was responsible for bringing Iraola to Bournemouth in 2023 before later joining Liverpool. Following Slot’s departure, reports indicated that Iraola had emerged as the leading candidate to take charge at Anfield, with talks expected to commence this week. Those discussions have now begun.
Liverpool’s priority is to appoint a coach whose football philosophy aligns with the club’s long-term vision. While the Reds are keen to name a new manager without unnecessary delays, they are determined to conduct a thorough recruitment process to ensure they select the most suitable candidate.
At present, Liverpool have not contacted any potential members of a new coaching team. Such conversations are expected to take place only if negotiations with Iraola progress to a more advanced stage.
Hughes was instrumental in recruiting Iraola during his time at Bournemouth, where the Spaniard enjoyed an impressive spell. Under his guidance, Bournemouth put together an 18-match unbeaten run during the latter stages of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, eventually finishing sixth and securing qualification for the Europa League. They also ended the season just three points behind Liverpool.
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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher praised Iraola’s achievements but admitted he still has reservations about whether the Spaniard can deliver a league title at Anfield.
“He’s done a brilliant job in the Premier League, what Bournemouth have done is absolutely fantastic, but there are still huge question marks. The way he plays is definitely the way Liverpool want to go back to: high-intensity football. We know he’s fantastic at that, but it’s not just all about that when you’re the Liverpool manager,” Carragher said.
“Off the ball was a big problem for Arne Slot, that was the thing that really worried me, and I said all season that Liverpool off the ball were so poor.
“That’s a big part of Liverpool’s DNA, not just under Jurgen Klopp. The reason we talk about the Anfield factor, a lot of it is off the ball, not just on it, so he’s fantastic at that. My worry is, can you play at that intensity when you’re playing every three days, and that was only getting played once a week with Bournemouth. That is completely different,” he added.
“Whenever you’re bringing a manager in for a top club in England, you’re thinking, ‘Can he win me the league?’. That’s a big question mark around him, or any manager coming in, but Liverpool had a manager who’s won the league, so that’s why I was always torn.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp, however, believes Iraola possesses the qualities required to thrive under the pressure of managing one of England’s biggest clubs.
“I love the man. I never thought what Eddie Howe did [at Bournemouth] could be eclipsed, but he’s done that. The style of football is amazing – they play high pressure, they get after teams, which is exactly what Liverpool fans want. They want to see people with high energy, whether that fits the Liverpool mould, because they’ll play man for man a lot. That style of play in midfield is really high energy – whether Wirtz fits into that, it’ll be fascinating to see. Everybody is going to have to run in that team,” he added.
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