After sacking Arne Slot, Liverpool have been heavily linked with former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola taking over at Anfield, but despite being the bookies favourite, it might not just be him in the running
14:13, 30 May 2026Updated 14:14, 30 May 2026
Andoni Iraola is set to leave Bournemouth at the end of his contract and is reportedly keen on the Liverpool job.
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Andoni Iraola to Liverpool might not yet be a done deal(Image: (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images))
Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been heavily linked to becoming the next Liverpool manager but it might not yet be a done deal.
Iraola, who is also the bookies favourite to take over at Anfield, looks set to takeover from Arne Slot after he was sacked today (May 30). However, some reports are suggesting Liverpool may take their time in appointing a new manager and may talk to other candidates as well as Iraola.
Bookmakers have dozens of odds on the potential new Liverpool boss, but two managers outside of the Premier League are now also being linked to the job. Some Liverpool fans have reacted well to one link to a manager in France, and it's not PSG boss Luis Enrique.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, celebrates with the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Arne Slot helped Liverpool win the title in his first season(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
David Ornstein, football Correspondent The Athletic, says although Iraola is favourite for the job, Liverpool "may talk to other candidates".
He named VfB Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness and RC Lens' Pierre Sage, who seems a popular choice by some Liverpool supporters after recent comments.
The Frenchman cast doubt on his future at Lens after staring it would be his "dream" to manage Liverpool. Sage has gotten on the radar if several top clubs after his team's surprise second-place finish in Ligue 1, gaining Champions League qualification.
Pierre Sage has sensationally dismissed claims of PSG postponement ahead of their Champions League clash with Liverpool.
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Pierre Sage has said it would be a 'dream' to manage Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
When questioned about managing the club, he described the job as “holy grail”. He said: “Liverpool, of course. This club represents so much, it’s a bit like Lens in its values. There are other attractive clubs in England, but it would be the holy grail.”
Liverpool fans have reacted well to Sage's comments on the club with some preferring him to Iraola on social media.
One said: "Sage is actually my number 1 choice even over Iraola. Just gotta hope the Premier league entices him as he’s smashing it with Lens."
STUTTGART, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 25: Head Coach Sebastian Hoeness during a VfB Stuttgart MD-1 press conference at the MHP Arena, on February 25, 2026, in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
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Sebastian Hoeness is seen by some bookies as the second favourite for the job (Image: SNS Group)
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Another wrote: "So happy Pierre Sage got a mention he was an interesting candidate given an incredible year at RC Lens and qualifying for UCL and pushing PSG for title given a much lower squad quality. He said recently #LFC is his dream managerial club but perhaps in due time."
A third simple said: "'d love Pierre Sage at Liverpool."