Andoni Iraola has landed at Liverpool John Lennon Airport ahead of being confirmed as Liverpool's new head coach, following the dismissal of Arne Slot last weekend. The Spaniard's flight from San Sebastian touched down on Thursday morning, with Iraola expected to sign a two-year deal after reaching a verbal agreement with the club.
Liverpool identified the 43-year-old as their top target after parting ways with Premier League title winner Slot following two seasons in charge. Iraola, currently without a club after leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season, guided the Cherries to European football for the first time in their history during his three-year stint on the South Coast.
Iraola faces a significant task upon entering the AXA Training Centre, with Liverpool having lost Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah, and Andy Robertson on free transfers. Robertson largely played a secondary role to Milos Kerkez this season but will still need replacing as a key dressing-room presence. Jeremy Jacquet is considered a replacement for Real Madrid-bound Konate, while Yan Diomande is being looked at to come in for Salah.
Iraola spent the bulk of his playing career at Athletic Bilbao as a right-back, and as a youngster, he lined up alongside Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and incoming Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso in San Sebastian. His managerial journey began with a short spell at AEK Larnaca in Cyprus, followed by stints at Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano, whom he steered into La Liga and to the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
While Iraola has never claimed a major trophy as a player or manager, his offensive, high-energy approach has built him a rising profile in the Premier League. Liverpool also considered Sebastian Hoeness of Stuttgart and Pierre Sage of Lens but are convinced Iraola is the ideal match for their squad following a deeply underwhelming campaign.
