Andoni Iraola has signed a two-year contract to replace Arne Slott and met for the first time since becoming Liverpool’s new manager ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Andoni Iraola is excited to start at Liverpool (Image: Nikki Dyer/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has hinted at why he turned down interest from Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen to become Liverpool’s new manager. Iraola has remained in high demand since leaving Bournemouth and is set to replace Arne Slott at Anfield.
The Spaniard signed a two-year contract with the Reds just five days after Slott was released by the club. He earned the job after a fantastic three years at Bournemouth, leading them to a sixth-place finish and Europa League qualification.
Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League and had disappointing results in the cup, ending Slott’s two-season tenure. The Dutchman suffered 19 defeats in his second season, leaving the team in the shadow of the team that won the Premier League in 2024/25.
Iraola will be tasked with rebuilding the club this summer following the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate. They have a reputation for developing young players, and it is expected that they will regain a more attractive playing style.
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The 43-year-old sparked a lot of interest in April when he announced he would be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season. Manchester United were thought to be interested before handing Michael Carrick a full-time contract, while Palace and Leverkusen made contact with him.
Palace needed to find a replacement for Oliver Glasner, while Leverkusen were considering the idea of bringing in Iraola to replace Kasper Hjurmand. But when Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes contacted Iraola, he blew the other two clubs out of the water.
“I’m really excited, I’m really excited,” Iraola told Liverpoolfc.com. “Because obviously you know about Liverpool and you know it’s a big club, a huge club, one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Andoni Iraola has signed a two-year contract with Liverpool (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“But when you feel inside this club and understand this club a little bit, I always thought it was a special club. You don’t need much to be attracted to Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool.”
“But obviously the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance to coach top-level players, the chance to compete for titles. I don’t think there’s anything more attractive than that. It’s hard to find that. So I’m really excited to get started.”
Hughes had selected Iraola at Bournemouth three years before joining Liverpool and was keen to see him again at Anfield. The decision to sack Slott and bring in Iraola was made by Liverpool sporting director and head of Fenway Sports Group Michael Edwards.
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