Andoni Iraola has arrived on Merseyside and is expected to be confirmed as Liverpool’s new manager, following the departure of Arne Slot after a hugely disappointing season
Andoni Iraola has touched down on Merseyside ahead of being confirmed as Liverpool’s new manager following Arne Slot’s dismissal last weekend.
Iraola’s aircraft from San Sebastian in Spain landed at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Thursday morning, with the Spaniard set to sign a two-year deal having already agreed terms verbally with the Reds.
Liverpool have targeted the 43-year-old, who stepped off the aircraft into a waiting bus on the opposite side of the plane, as their top choice after deciding to dismiss Premier League champion Slot following just two seasons at the helm.
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Iraola is available after departing Bournemouth at the campaign’s conclusion following three seasons and guiding them to European qualification for the first time in the club’s history last month.
Talks regarding the Anfield position have been spearheaded by sporting director Richard Hughes, who brought Iraola to Bournemouth during his previous tenure at the South Coast club, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Iraola operated as a right-back during his playing days and spent most of his career at Athletic Bilbao.
As a youngster he featured alongside Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and new Chelsea boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso in the same San Sebastian youth side.
He launched his coaching career with a short spell in Cyprus at AEK Larnaca before one season at Mirandes in Spain’s second division and a following three-year period at Rayo Vallecano, whom he guided into La Liga and to the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
While Iraola has never claimed a major trophy as either a player or boss, his attacking, high-energy approach has built him a rising profile in the Premier League.
And although Liverpool also considered Sebastian Hoeness of Stuttgart and Pierre Sage of Lens as possible replacements for Slot, they feel Iraola represents the ideal match for their squad following a deeply underwhelming campaign.