43-year-old emerged as the preferred candidate after the club chose to return to a more aggressive and proactive style following Slot’s second season in charge
Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle to appoint Andoni Iraola as their new head coach.
Talks between Iraola and Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, have advanced rapidly since Arne Slot’s dismissal on Saturday, with the former Bournemouth coach now close to signing a two-year contract at Anfield.
Liverpool want the appointment completed before the start of the World Cup on 11 June in order to accelerate preparations for a busy summer, and Iraola is set to be confirmed before the end of the week.
The 43-year-old emerged as Liverpool’s preferred candidate after the club identified a need to restore a more aggressive and proactive style following Slot’s second season in charge. The Spaniard is available after leaving Bournemouth at the end of his contract and would arrive on Merseyside with a strong relationship already established with Hughes, who appointed him on the south coast in 2023.
The incoming head coach is expected to bring several members of his Bournemouth staff with him, including assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, analyst Tom Webber and fitness coach Pablo de la Torre.
Liverpool have also announced the exit of centre-back Ibrahima Konate. The France defender has left Anfield after failing to agree a new contract, despite previously suggesting that an extension was close.
Real Madrid are understood to have maintained their interest in the 27-year-old and have reportedly offered him a four-year deal. If the move materialises, Konate would follow Trent Alexander-Arnold in swapping Liverpool for the Bernabeu within the space of a year.
