Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola applauds the fans after the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Saturday January 24, 2026.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola applauds the fans after the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Saturday January 24, 2026.
Andoni Iraola is travelling to Merseyside and is set to sign a two-year contract to become Liverpool head coach on Thursday, with an unveiling now imminent.
Liverpool have moved quickly to appoint Iraola as Arne Slot‘s successor, after the surprise news that the Dutchman had been sacked five days ago.
Following talks with the former Bournemouth head coach’s representatives a verbal agreement was reached over a two-year contract.
Iraola is now en route to Merseyside and will put pen to paper on that deal at the AXA Training Centre, with an official announcement then expected either on Thursday or Friday.
Who will join Andoni Iraola’s staff at Liverpool?
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Friday, March 20, 2026: Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola and assistants Shaun Cooper (left) and Tommy Elphick (right) during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Friday, March 20, 2026: Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola and assistants Shaun Cooper (left) and Tommy Elphick (right) during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The 43-year-old is looking to add assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, fitness coach Pablo de la Torre and analyst Tom Webber to his new backroom staff.
Those appointments would replace the departed Sipke Hulshoff, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Ruben Peeters and Roderick van der Ham, who all joined under Slot’s reign.
Liverpool are however still expected to appoint a former player to their new-look coaching team, though it is maintained that no approaches have been made as of yet.
While there could be concerns over the length of Iraola’s contract that is simply at the request of the Spaniard himself.
His preference is, in fact, to sign one-year deals, telling BBC Sport last year that he made an exception when he joined Bournemouth from Rayo Vallecano in 2023.
“I don’t want to continue at a club just because I have a contract. I want to continue because both sides are happy and they want to continue together,” Iraola explained.
“The manager’s case is as important as the players’ cases, because at the end, you have to get the results.
“I could have whatever contract I have, but if I don’t get the results, in three or four months I will be in danger.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola gestures on the touchline during the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Sunday May 3, 2026.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola gestures on the touchline during the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Sunday May 3, 2026.
“So I try to focus on the short-term – do your job, get your results and then normally everything is fine.
“In Spain, it’s probably different – with Rayo, I used to renew a lot of times after the season, but I understand it is different in England.”
Iraola’s first game in charge of Liverpool at Anfield will come against Ligue 1 side Monaco (August 9), after the club announced two home friendlies to round off pre-season – the second against Italian club Como (August 16).
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