Andoni Iraola is a man in high demand this summer, with Liverpool facing competition from three other clubs to secure his services. The Merseyside club recently sacked Arne Slot after two seasons, and the Spaniard has emerged as the leading candidate to take over at Anfield. However, Liverpool will not have an easy path to appointing him.
Iraola's Options Beyond Liverpool
Iraola, who left Bournemouth after guiding them to Europa League qualification for the first time in their history, has also been linked with Crystal Palace, Bayer Leverkusen, and AC Milan. Reports suggest that all three clubs have already held talks with the 43-year-old. According to the Daily Mail, Iraola is the frontrunner for the Liverpool job and is well aware of the club's interest. However, Palace have reportedly offered him the position at Selhurst Park and are expecting a response by the end of the weekend, effectively setting a 24-hour deadline.
Interest from Europe
Iraola is also understood to have spoken with AC Milan, who recently parted ways with Massimiliano Allegri, and Bayer Leverkusen, who dismissed Erik ten Hag last summer and have since appointed former Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand. The Basque manager's reputation has grown significantly since his arrival in the Premier League, and his success at Bournemouth has attracted attention from top clubs across Europe.
Iraola's Relationship with Liverpool
Iraola already has a connection with Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, who was instrumental in bringing the Spaniard to Bournemouth from Rayo Vallecano. Before leaving Bournemouth, Iraola met with incoming Cherries boss Marco Rose to brief him on the squad and the club's dynamics. With that handover complete, Iraola is now expected to turn his attention to potential discussions with Liverpool.
Bournemouth's Success Under Iraola
During his tenure at Bournemouth, Iraola transformed the club into one of the Premier League's most formidable sides. The Cherries ended the season with the longest unbeaten streak in the division, having not lost a league match since a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on January 3. Meanwhile, Slot's dismissal came after Liverpool's disappointing title defence, which saw them finish fifth in the Premier League.
Slot's Departure
Slot was removed from his position on May 30 and issued a brief statement thanking his former colleagues and players. He said: "It's been an amazing ride together with Liverpool, I am so grateful that we were able to win the league last season." The Dutchman has been linked with potential moves to AC Milan and Ajax, though no decisions have been made yet.
As the managerial merry-go-round continues, Iraola remains the key figure, with his next move likely to shape the fortunes of several top clubs.
