Iraola lands in Liverpool to begin talks as Slot's permanent replacement

Andoni Iraola touched down on Merseyside on Thursday morning ahead of being confirmed as Liverpool’s new head coach, with the 43-year-old Spaniard expected to sign a two-year deal after reaching a verbal agreement with the club. His flight from San Sebastian landed at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, ending a swift pursuit that followed the dismissal of Premier League title winner Arne Slot after just two seasons in charge.

Talks were led by sporting director Richard Hughes, who previously brought Iraola to Bournemouth during his own tenure at the club. Iraola spent three years on the South Coast, most recently guiding the Cherries into European football for the first time in their history before departing at the end of the season.

Iraola will inherit a squad that has lost three key figures on free transfers: centre-back Ibrahima Konate, forward Mohamed Salah, and left-back Andy Robertson. Robertson played largely a secondary role to Milos Kerkez — Iraola’s former left-back at Bournemouth — this season, but his departure still leaves a significant void in the dressing room. Liverpool are reportedly looking at Jeremy Jacquet as cover for the Real Madrid-bound Konate, and at Yan Diomande as a potential replacement for Salah.

As a player, Iraola spent the bulk of his career at Athletic Bilbao and, as a youngster in San Sebastian, lined up alongside Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and incoming Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso. He began his managerial career with a short spell at AEK Larnaca in Cyprus before taking charge at Mirandes and then spending three years at Rayo Vallecano, whom he guided into La Liga and to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Iraola has never won a major trophy as either a player or manager, but his offensive, high-energy style has earned him a growing reputation in English football. Liverpool also considered Sebastian Hoeness of Stuttgart and Pierre Sage of Lens before settling on the former Bournemouth head coach as their preferred candidate following what the club regards as a deeply underwhelming campaign.