Andoni Iraola has agreed a two-year contract at Liverpool and is set to be unveiled as the Reds’ new head coach this week.
The Spaniard has emerged as the standout option to replace Arne Slot at Anfield, following his dismissal last Saturday.
Now, the reliable David Ornstein of The Athletic, among others, reports that Liverpool have reached a “verbal agreement” with Iraola over a two-year deal.
The 43-year-old guided Bournemouth to an impressive sixth-place finish in the Premier League in 2025/26, playing some of the most entertaining football in the division along the way.
Who will be in Andoni Iraola’s coaching team?
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 1, 2025: AFC Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola (R) and Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Iraola wants to bring Pablo de la Torre, Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper and Tom Webber, the former of whom is a fitness coach who left Bournemouth alongside his boss, up from the south coast.
Elphick (assistant coach), Cooper (set piece coach) and Webber (analyst) would replace Ruben Peeters, Sipke Hulshoff, Aaron Briggs and Roderick van de Ham at Liverpool.
Meanwhile, former Reds midfielder Thiago is reportedly “keen” on being part of Iraola’s coaching setup, which could be an exciting addition, but the club refute this.
It remains to be seen if that will materialise, and James Milner‘s retirement as a player this week has naturally seen him mentioned as an option, too.
Why Andoni Iraola’s contract at Liverpool is only two years
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola applauds the fans after the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Saturday January 24, 2026.
Perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of this news is that Iraola is only signing on for two years as Liverpool’s head coach.
There is a reason for that, however, and in many ways, it sums up his modest personality.
Signing short-term deal has been Iraola’s approach throughout his managerial career, with journalist Ben Jacobs saying that it is his “insistence” to do so, and BBC Radio Solent’s Jordan Clark has added more information about it.
AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola following the Premier League match at the City Ground, Nottingham. Andoni Iraola was taking charge of his last match for Bournemouth and set his final mission to secure a place in the Champions League, but they fell agonisingly short. Picture date: Sunday May 24, 2026.
“What we know about him is that he favours these short-term deals,” Clark said.
“So usually he likes a one-year contract and I think it all comes from his time playing under Marcelo Bielsa at Athletic Club towards the end of his career [2011-2013].
“There was an occasion when Bielsa was at Leeds and he didn’t commit and was nearly out of contract before he decided everything was right and he wanted to stay for another year.”
It means Liverpool aren’t tied down to Iraola for a lengthy period, should things go awry, and it gives him the drive to prove that he is worthy of an extension.
For those wondering about the two year contract proposed to Iraola, here’s why. Speaks volumes about the man that he prefers to earn his pay rather than get a big payout if he gets the chop, fair play, boss attitude to have. pic.twitter.com/AOJ1vKB1DE
— Scouse Republic (@ScouseRepublic) June 2, 2026
Hiring any new head coach has its risks, and there are some who are concerned about whether Iraola’s high-octane approach can work across four competitions with the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp showed that it could be successful, however, and Liverpool’s new boss is a hugely exciting appointment who could bring entertainment and success back to Anfield.
Whatever happens, it promises to be fun, which cannot be said of the Reds’ final season under Slot.