Collymore and Gerrard back Iraola to replace Slot as Liverpool manager

Andoni Iraola has emerged as the clear frontrunner to become Liverpool’s next head coach after the club confirmed Arne Slot’s exit on Saturday, with former Reds striker Stan Collymore and club legend Steven Gerrard both publicly backing the Spaniard for the role.

Slot departed Anfield “with immediate effect” following a disappointing end to the 2025/26 season. Although Liverpool secured Champions League qualification, they failed to win any of their final four matches, and the club moved six days after the Premier League season concluded.

Iraola, 43, left Bournemouth after their 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season, ending a three-year spell at the Vitality Stadium that saw him guide the Cherries to a sixth-place Premier League finish. Reports indicate he is holding out for Liverpool’s approach despite interest from AC Milan and Crystal Palace, and the Reds have him firmly at the top of their wishlist.

Collymore, who made 81 appearances for Liverpool, was unambiguous in his enthusiasm. “Very excited if Iraola gets the Liverpool job,” he wrote on X. “Excellent coach with a defined style but not stubborn enough to stick with it if it doesn’t work. Great communicator so will deal with media honestly and with a bonhomie that the local journos will like and he makes average players good, good players great so plenty of positivity to work with. Big thumbs up here.”

Collymore also pointed to Iraola’s background at Athletic Club as evidence he can handle the weight of expectation at a major club. “Played at an excellent Athletic Club with their own unique expectations too so no stranger to local and intense expectations,” he added.

Gerrard echoed that assessment. “I think potentially, yes. I think he’s done a fabulous job at Bournemouth,” the Liverpool icon said. “I think his style would suit Liverpool. But let’s not beat around the bush — Liverpool Football Club is an attractive job for a lot of elite managers around the world. So I don’t think he’ll be the only name on the table.”

Iraola arrived at Bournemouth from Rayo Vallecano in 2023 and transformed the south-coast club into a settled top-flight side playing high-tempo, pressing football — a style that aligns closely with what Liverpool supporters felt was missing during the latter stages of the campaign under Slot.