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Andoni Iraola’s Anfield move now looks like a matter of “when” rather than “if” – and Bournemouth have wasted no time lining up their next man.
Liverpool is understood to have reached a verbal agreement with Iraola to become the club’s next head coach following Arne Slot’s dismissal, with reports indicating the Basque tactician is set to sign a two‑year contract at Anfield.
The 43‑year‑old, who left Bournemouth at the end of the season, is expected to bring several members of his Cherries backroom staff with him.
With Iraola bound for Liverpool, Bournemouth have confirmed former RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose as their new head coach, announcing that the German has signed a three‑year deal to take charge at the Vitality Stadium from this summer.
Rose comes from the Red Bull school, beginning his coaching career in Leipzig before rising through the ranks at RB Salzburg, where he enjoyed success with the youth side and then the senior team.
He went on to manage Borussia Mönchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, gaining Champions League and Europa League experience and working with elite talents such as Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Dominik Szoboszlai along the way.
Speaking in his first Cherries interview as quoted by the Bournemouth Echo, Rose said:
“I saw and I feel that everyone here is high committed, is highly professional, and high motivated.”
“I’m here to learn, I’m here to give a direction, that’s for sure, but we’re going to do it together, and I think the foundation is great.
“We have a high-quality team, we have this environment.”
“The approach of the club to find a coach who is committed in the style of football, because the club has an identity, built an identity how to compete in the Premier League, and it’s proactive, front-footed offensive, and that’s what we’re going to maintain,” the former RB Leipzig manager explained.
“I can’t wait to dive into the region and to get to know the people, the fans, come in touch with the people and the fans, because I think that’s the most important thing in football, to have connections, to do the things together, to create an atmosphere with high respect and ambitions.
“That’s why I’m here. And again, thanks for the warm welcome to everyone here.”
“And I’m looking forward to try to give everything and, not try to give everything, we’re going to give everything and achieve other good things for the club.”