Liverpool are set to hold formal talks with Andoni Iraola this week as they aim to appoint a successor to Arne Slot before the World Cup begins on 11 June. The former Bournemouth head coach is the frontrunner for the role, having been brought to the south coast by Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes.
Iraola left Bournemouth after three seasons, the last of which secured European football for the club for the first time. He is out of contract and available immediately, unlike other candidates such as Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness and Lens' Pierre Sage, who would require compensation. Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and Crystal Palace have also approached Iraola.
Liverpool's swift action follows the sacking of Slot, who was informed of his dismissal about 90 minutes before the club's announcement on Saturday. The decision came after a review led by Hughes and Michael Edwards, chief executive of football at owner Fenway Sports Group, which concluded the team were unlikely to improve under Slot. Players were not consulted, and supporter unrest was not decisive.
Captain Virgil van Dijk paid tribute to Slot on Instagram, thanking him for winning the Premier League in their first season together and wishing him well for the future.
