Spanish manager Andoni Iraola is now firm favourite to take over at Liverpool, following the departure of Arne Slot in the aftermath of an end-of-season review.
The club confirmed on Saturday that Slot would depart Anfield after two seasons in charge, during which he won the Premier League title.
Iraola, who guided Bournemouth to a sixth place finish in the league despite losing numerous senior players, departed at the end of his contract.
The 43-year-old was understood to be weighing up his options and had reportedly this week turned down approaches from both AC Milan and Crystal Palace, instead favouring a move to Anfield.
In the aftermath of Liverpool announcing Slot’s exit, Iraola rocketed to favourite among the bookmakers collectively, with many offering 1/2 odds that he would be next in the dug-out at Anfield.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (L) and Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola before the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Among the chasing pack for the position, according to the bookies, are Sebastian Hoeness, Julian Nagelsmann and Oliver Glasner.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano writes that Iraola, the 43-year-old, is “set to become the next Liverpool manager”.
He adds: “The negotiations will move forward quickly to get it done with formal steps but #LFC decision made…”
?? Andoni Iraola, set to become the next Liverpool manager as revealed earlier today!
The negotiations will move forward quickly to get it done with formal steps but #LFC decision made…
…Iraola will be the next manager. ?? pic.twitter.com/r4K1xRnxDP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2026
As reported by senior sports broadcaster Ben Jacobs, Liverpool have identified Iraola as the “standout candidate” for the position and “talks are expected to move quickly.”
It is reported that Slot was only informed on Saturday morning that he would be leaving the club, and had been given no prior forewarning.
Iraola was appointed at Bournemouth by Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, and announced that he will be departing the Cherries back in March – a time when Liverpool exited the Champions League and FA Cup in 4-0 defeats to PSG and Man City.
Who is Andoni Iraola?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
After a playing career which amassed over 500 appearances featuring for the likes of Athletic Bilbao, New York City and the Spain national team, Iraola moved into the world of coaching and begun putting in the hard yards in Cyprus with AEK Larnaca.
Spells at Mirandes, Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth would follow, with Iraola rapidly gaining a reputation as a manager with a slick system and a high attention to detail.
He departed Bournemouth on the back of an 18-game unbeaten streak, despite the sale of star man Antoine Semenyo, and in the process secured European football for the first time in the club’s history.
Iraola spent his youth days playing with the likes of former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, coming through the ranks at Antiguoko.
A former right-back, Iraola assumed responsibility for set-piece taking and became something of a specialist with penalties and free kicks.