Andoni Iroala is reportedly the frontrunner to succeed Arne Slot, who was sacked as Liverpool head coach on Saturday May 30. Iroala recently left Bournemouth after leading the club to a sixth place finish in the Premier League and Europa League.
The Reds are now expected to begin talks with the Spaniard, who is also reportedly negotiating with Bayer Leverkusen after appearing to cool talks with AC Milan earlier this week.
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Iroala has a strong relationship with Liverpool director of football Richard Hughes after their time together at Bournemouth. Despite interest from Italy, the former Bournemouth boss is interested in the vacant Liverpool job. He has also attracted interest from Crystal Palace, who won the UEFA Conference League and will also play in the Europa League next season.
Iroala joined Bournemouth from Rayo Vallacano in 2023 and has since cemented his place as one of the elite managers in the Premier League. He is now set to join Liverpool, who endured a difficult season under Slot, but managed to finish fifth and qualify for the Champions League.
Liverpool sack Arne Slot
Liverpool has announced the sacking of head coach Arne Slot. The Dutchman departs only a year after leading the Reds to their 20th Liverpool title. However, the Reds suffered an underwhelming 2025/26 season where they finished fifth in the league and managed to snatch the last spot for the Champions League. Liverpool also finished with 60 points, the club’s lowest total points since 2015/16.
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Read Liverpool’s statement on Slot’s sacking in full:
“That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves – successful.
“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.
“From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it. This was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he guided us to the Premier League title and throughout the season just ended when he faced considerable challenges and burdens.
“At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward. Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but.
“We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title.
“That accomplishment – made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge – was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day.
“He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person.
“As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.
“Nevertheless, the conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.
“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.”
