With Andoni Iraola now officially a free agent after his Bournemouth exit, it is no surprise to see his name repeatedly thrown into the Liverpool conversation.
The Spaniard has quietly built a reputation as one of Europe’s most progressive coaches, transforming the Cherries into one of the Premier League’s most energetic, front-foot sides before deciding that this summer was the “right moment” to walk away and look for a new challenge.
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This past 2025/26 season has seen Iraola lead the south coast side into the Europa League for the first time as well as set their record Premier League points haul of 57 points.
He has helped turn Bournemouth from relegation candidates into a team capable of bloodying the noses of the division’s elite and taking points off the traditional top-six on a regular basis.
Now Sky Sports news has reported that Andoni Iraola is keen on joining Liverpool FC this summer:
“We have been reporting that he is in talks with AC Milan, however we have been told that those talks are not really progressing. He seems no more likely to join Crystal Palace either,” it’s reported.
“Clubs that Andoni Iraola is interested in joining are Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool – although there is no vacancy at Liverpool because Arne Slot is staying.”
However, the key sticking point is that Arne Slot is expected to remain on as the Liverpool manager next season. Widespread reports have all sung the same tune, and the Dutchman himself admitted as much earlier this May before the 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa:
“I have every reason to believe I am the Liverpool manager next season,” Slot said.
“The plans for next season have been made, talks ongoing between the club and new players and I am involved in that.”
Liverpool’s stance is that Slot stays, but having a coach of Iraola’s calibre openly keen on the job only adds another layer of intrigue to any future managerial conversation on Merseyside.