Liverpool’s pursuit of Andoni Iraola for the head coach job comes having long ruled out Xabi Alonso and with no expectation Luis Enrique would be available.
Iraola is the front-runner for the vacant position at Anfield having emerged as odds-on favourite in the wake of Arne Slot‘s sacking.
The Spaniard was not the No. 1 choice among fans for much of a difficult campaign for Slot, however, with the majority hoping that Alonso would arrive instead.
But with Alonso now in place at Chelsea it is clear Liverpool decided against their former midfielder as a head coach candidate.
2KA9M23 Leverkusen, Germany. 01st Nov, 2022. Soccer: Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen - FC Brugge, Group Stage, Group B, Matchday 6, BayArena. Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso looks ahead to the match. Credit: Marius Becker/dpa/Alamy Live News
The Athletic‘s James Pearce reports that Alonso “wasn’t viewed as a serious contender,” with Chris Williams writing on X that he “was ruled out in March due to demands for greater control over football operations than Liverpool were prepared to grant.”
It is perhaps notable that Alonso’s job title at Chelsea is manager, rather than head coach, though the Times‘ Paul Joyce reports that it “remains to be seen” which role Liverpool will hand Iraola.
Iraola has not been the only candidate in contention for Liverpool, of course, with Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and Lens’ Pierre Sage among those on their radar.
Why Liverpool aren’t likely to go for Luis Enrique
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 11, 2025: Luis Enrique during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Joyce is among those to touch upon interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique, though he notes that those on Merseyside “remain convinced” he will stay in his current job.
Pearce further adds that Liverpool “don’t expect him to leave” despite acknowledging that his “claims [to the job] would be compelling.”
That may suggest that, were Enrique to become available, he would be the preferred choice as Slot’s replacement, but with that seemingly out of reach, Iraola is the No. 1 target.
Talks are taking place with the former Bournemouth head coach and it has been widely reported that Liverpool expect a swift resolution.
Their aim is make an announcement before the World Cup, which kicks off next week, providing Iraola with ample time to prepare ahead of the start of pre-season in July.
Liverpool already know they will also need to replace Slot’s assistants Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst as well as performance coach Ruben Peeters.
Bournemouth assistant Tommy Elphick and Iraola’s long-time fitness coach Pablo de la Torre are likely arrivals.