Article by Sebastian Vasile – Published Friday, 22 May 2026, 10:17 / Updated Friday, 22 May 2026 10:20
Although Arne Slot surprised everyone by winning the title in his first season at Liverpool, his second was a complete failure. The club had a spectacular transfer period, but did not even get the podium. The Dutchman's chair is shaking, and as a replacement, the “cormorants” would like to bring Andoni Iraola (43 years old).
The Spaniard will be leaving Bournemouth and the club have officially announced the appointment of Marco Rose as the team's head coach. The “Cherries” have not lost a game in January in the Premier League and are knocking on the gates of the Champions League.
Andoni Iraola is the favorite to replace Arne Slot
Iraola managed to keep the team together, even though pillars of the defense (Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Ilija Zabarnyi) were sold in the summer. Antoine Semenyo, the team's best player, was also sold in the winter. Despite all these challenges, Bournemouth have had a phenomenal season and Europe is guaranteed.
Iraola is out of contract and everything points to the Spanish coach arriving at Anfield. Slot has disappointed after spending 500 million euros this year, Liverpool have not achieved anything this year, so the Cormorants officials are considering to sack him.
The Anfield chiefs' decision is understood to have come after a discussion with the players, who have reportedly called for the current manager to be replaced, according to media in England.
The Spaniard spent much of his playing career at Athletic Bilbao and then ended it at FK New York in the MLS. After that, he entered coaching. His first club was AEK Larnaca, and in addition to Bournemouth, he also coached Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano.
Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth coach
Andoni Iraola has been in talks with Chelsea
After fired Liam RoseniorChelsea management contacted Andoni Iraola (43) to take over the team in the summer.
Finally, the Blues reached an agreement with Xabi Alonso and he signed a 4-year contract with the Stamford Bridge outfit. The former defensive midfielder was seen as favorite to take over at Liverpool in the summer due to his Anfield background.
Premier League standings
