Liverpool reach verbal agreement with Iraola to take over as head coach

A NEW ERA-OLA: Liverpool have opened talks with Andoni Iraola about becoming their new head coach. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement with Andoni Iraola to take over as head coach following the sacking of Arne Slot.

According to a report in  The Athletic, Iraola is set to sign a two-year deal.

Iraola has been the clear frontrunner for the Anfield vacancy with his style of play fitting Liverpool’s criteria for the front-footed, aggressive approach they felt was lacking in Slot’s second season in charge. The Dutchman was sacked on Saturday.

Richard Hughes, the Liverpool sporting director, who appointed Iraola to take charge at Bournemouth from Rayo Vallecano in 2023, is leading the negotiations with the 43-year-old. Hughes retains a strong working relationship with Iraola’s agent, Iñaki Ibáñez, and talks are expected to progress quickly.

The Spaniard is available after leaving the Vitality Stadium at the end of the season, upon the expiry of his contract, and Liverpool want to complete the hiring process before the World Cup starts on 11 June. The deal could be concluded before the end of this week. 

Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and Pierre Sage of Lens have also been considered, but Iraola has always been regarded as the leading candidate.

Liverpool have not made any approaches for further additions to their coaching staff despite being linked with their former midfielder Thiago Alcântara, who has just left Barcelona. 

Those moves will only be made once talks with Iraola reach the final stages. Iraola will want to bring his former assistant at Bournemouth, Tommy Elphick, with him to Anfield.

Additional reporting: Guardian