Liverpool has confirmed Andoni Iraola as the man to take over from Arne Slot at Anfield, with the former Bournemouth boss speaking for the first time since the appointment
19:38, 04 Jun 2026Updated 19:46, 04 Jun 2026
Andoni Iraola emerges from the Anfield tunnel.
Andoni Iraola emerges from the Anfield tunnel.(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has spoken for the first time after being confirmed as Liverpool's successor to Arne Slot, following the firing of the Dutchman last weekend.
It is understood that the Reds want to move towards a faster and more aggressive style of play, with Iraola the chosen man to implement that this summer and beyond. Liverpool finished fifth last season in the Premier League, qualifying for the Champions League, but lost 19 games in all competitions.
Having confirmed a few months back that he was leaving Bournemouth after three years, Iraola is a free agent. He previously worked with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes on the south coast.
"Really excited, really excited," Iraola told club media. "Because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it’s a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world.
"But feeling inside and understanding a little bit more of this club, I always thought it’s a special club. You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool.
"But obviously the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles. I think it cannot be more attractive than this. It’s difficult to find it. So, really excited to start."
Andoni Iraola applauds Bournemouth fans at the Vitality Stadium.
Andoni Iraola applauds Bournemouth fans at the Vitality Stadium.(Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Iraola was in charge of Bournemouth for three seasons and won one of his seven matches against the Reds. Last August, Federico Chiesa scored a dramatic winner at Anfield.
"I’ve been the other side — I still remember the goal Chiesa scored," he continued.
"We were there with 2-2 thinking that probably we could take something. He scored and the place erupted. It was crazy, no? I want now to feel this from the other side.
"At the beginning, when you arrive at any club, I think you need to kind of prove a little bit yourself. You need to earn the right also to belong. I want to do this as quickly as possible so I can also celebrate with them and I can be part properly of those celebrations.
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"For me, football is about emotions. About passion. I’m quite cool-headed probably, during my life quite rational, I would say. But it’s true that when the game starts, when you have to celebrate a goal, something is inside, no?
"I think this inner energy, you need it as a player, you need it as a supporter, you need it as a coach. No better place than Anfield."
Iraola's first game in charge will be on the US tour, when Liverpool is scheduled to play Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds. It then has games back on Merseyside against AS Monaco and Como.