Andoni Iraola has arrived on Merseyside to finalise the details of his appointment as Liverpool's new head coach. The 43-year-old flew into Liverpool John Lennon Airport on a private jet from San Sebastian in his Basque homeland and was driven away in a silver people carrier shortly afterwards.
Two-Year Deal Agreed
Iraola is understood to have agreed a two-year deal to succeed Arne Slot, who was surprisingly sacked on Saturday. The former Bournemouth boss was quickly identified as the club's primary target, and negotiations were conducted swiftly as Iraola is out of contract after guiding Bournemouth to sixth place and a maiden European campaign. Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes already has a relationship with him, having appointed him for the Cherries three years ago.
Backroom Staff Plans
It is understood that Iraola wants to bring assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, analyst Tom Webber, and fitness coach Pablo de la Torre with him to Merseyside. Former Liverpool players Thiago Alcantara and the recently retired James Milner have been linked with coaching roles, but the make-up of the backroom staff will remain a decision for Iraola.
The appointment is in line with the club's desire to move back towards a more aggressive, front-foot, urgent style of football, which they lost during Slot's second season and which ultimately cost him his job.
