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| Manager Andoni Iraola / Photo: Getty Images |
[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu] Liverpool, which dismissed Arne Slot, is closing in on Andoni Iraola as their next manager.
Transfer-market insider Fabrizio Romano reported on June 2 (KST) that Liverpool has reached an agreement in principle to appoint Iraola as their new head coach.
Romano added his signature line ‘Here we go,’ the phrase he uses when a deal is imminent, signaling the move is close.
Slot led Liverpool to the 2024–25 English Premier League title in his first season and initially earned the club’s full backing. The club reinforced that support in the winter transfer window by signing high-profile players such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
But Liverpool fell short of expectations the following season. They finished fifth in the league with 60 points and were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the round of 16.
Questions over Slot’s tactics and leadership mounted, and Liverpool ultimately sacked him at the end of the season.
The club began searching for a new manager, and Iraola quickly emerged as the leading candidate.
The BBC also reported that Iraola had been identified as Slot’s likely successor and that Liverpool had made contact to open discussions.
Iraola, a Spaniard, managed Larnaca, Mirandés and Rayo Vallecano before taking over at Bournemouth for the 2023–24 season.
He guided Bournemouth to 10th in his first season and then to sixth this campaign, securing the club’s first-ever qualification for the UEFA Europa League — a breakthrough that earned him widespread recognition.
According to Romano, Liverpool and Iraola have reached an agreement in principle. Romano said Iraola will lead Liverpool’s next project, with talks progressing over the past 48 hours and a contract already drawn up.
[Sports Today reporter Kang Tae-gu sports@stoo.com]
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