Andoni Iraola has emerged as the frontrunner to take over from Arne Slot, with Liverpool set to open talks with him this week
Andoni Iraola is among the front runners to take over at Liverpool after Arne Slot was sacked.
Andoni Iraola is among the frontrunners to take over at Liverpool after Arne Slot was sacked(Image: (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images))
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Andoni Iraola has missed the reported '24 hour deadline' set by Crystal Palace to accept the managerial position at Selhurst Park as Liverpool set up a meeting with the outgoing Bournemouth boss. Reports claimed the 43-year-old had until the weekend to let Steve Parish and the Eagles know of his intentions, with Liverpool's Premier League rivals also keen on appointing him.
Oliver Glasner is set to leave Selhurst Park at the end of his contract, and Palace were keen on bringing Iraola to London. However, Iraola is also understood to be the frontrunner to take over from Arne Slot after he was sacked by the Reds hierarchy.
The Liverpool Echo understands the club are set to ramp up talks with Iraola this week, and they would like to have a new manager in position prior to the World Cup starting on June 11th.
Iraola is also a reported target for Italian side AC Milan, while German giants Bayer Leverkusen are also said to have held talks with the former Cherries boss.
Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes brought Iraola to the Vitality Stadium three years ago, when the Reds chief occupied the same role on the south coast, and there is considerable admiration at Anfield for the work carried out by the former Cherries manager.
Those close to Iraola have kept their cards close to their chest, declining to comment at this point, but Liverpool are eager to pin down a replacement sooner rather than later ahead of a pivotal campaign.
Arne Slot looks on during a game at Anfield.
Arne Slot was sacked over the weekend(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
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It is understood Iraola represents an ideal candidate as the club's owners Fenway Sports Group look for a more proactive and attack-minded approach to football following a turbulent season under Slot that saw the Reds suffer 20 defeats across all competitions.
Bournemouth ended the campaign on an unbeaten run of 18 matches, securing European football for the first time in their history under Iraola.
During his tenure, the Cherries were widely considered one of the most intense pressing sides in the Premier League, with Slot frequently citing their running statistics in the build-up to clashes between the two clubs over the past two seasons.
The Reds maintain that pursuing a new manager will not see them fixate on a single candidate at this stage, yet Iraola has swiftly emerged as the preferred target, it is understood.
Liverpool have compiled a shortlist believed to also feature Sebastian Hoeness of Stuttgart and Pierre Sage of Lens, and are keen to confirm an appointment at the earliest opportunity to afford Slot's successor ample time to properly assess and prepare the squad ahead of the new campaign.
Slot was informed of Liverpool's decision to part company after two seasons on Saturday morning, prior to the news becoming public at 12.30pm, with the Dutchman's coaching staff having since begun the process of formally confirming their own exits.