Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has been mentioned as a possible alternative option to Xabi Alonso, should Liverpool sack Arne Slot this summer.
Slot continues to battle to save his job as head coach at Anfield, following one of the most disappointing seasons at Anfield in many years.
The reliable David Ornstein of The Athletic has claimed to NBC [via Football365] that FSG still look set to stick with the Dutchman for the time being, though, providing an update on Monday:
“My information is that Xabi Alonso is not under consideration at Liverpool at all. Liverpool fully intend to go into next season with Arne Slot as their head coach. I think Liverpool will want to recruit for Arne Slot this summer, in particular in the wing positions. And they think that will be crucial. Liverpool will look to do more work in the transfer market.”
Despite this, speaking on talkSPORT [via *Caught Offside*], presenter and former striker Tony Cascarino has now discussed the idea of Liverpool moving for Iraola this summer instead of the potentially Chelsea-bound Alonso:
“He brought him to Bournemouth and now he’s at Liverpool. He did that negotiation. You have connections in football and people you deal with. It’s not that unlikely that a club like Liverpool could look at him. He’s done an incredible job.”
Is Andoni Iraola the perfect Arne Slot replacement for Liverpool?
Iraola has been such an impressive manager for Bournemouth, making them one of the most tactically astute and difficult teams to play in the Premier League, inspiring them to a European push this season.
The Spaniard is leaving the Cherries at the end of the season, and if Alonso isn’t available, he has to be seen as the leading contender to replace Slot.
That is assuming that Slot is relieved of his duties, however, which at this point doesn’t feel hugely likely, given the reliable source providing the latest updates.
Liverpool must be ruthless and make a change, though, rather than sleepwalk into next season with the same issues on show, wasting time before sacking the Reds’ current boss midway through the campaign.