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Liverpool begin talks with Andoni Iraola over vacancy

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Head Coach Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth in his last game in charge after his sides 1-1 draw during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth at City Ground on May 24, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Pho
Andoni Iraola left Bournemouth last week

Liverpool have opened talks with Andoni Iraola about becoming their new head coach.

Bournemouth's former boss was quickly identified as the primary target following the surprise sacking of head coach Arne Slot on Saturday.

Sporting director Richard Hughes, who already has a relationship with the Basque having appointed him three years ago when he was working in a similar role with the Cherries, has made contact and is leading the talks.

Liverpool are keen to make a swift appointment, ideally before the start of the World Cup next week, to allow pre-season preparations to be adjusted accordingly but they insist they will follow a proper process in order to make the right appointment.

At this point there have been no approaches to any individuals to join the coaching staff - it was reported Iraola would want to bring Cherries assistant manager Tommy Elphick with him.

The pursuit of Iraola is in line with the club's desire to move back towards a more aggressive, front-foot, urgent style of football which they lost during Slot's second season and which ultimately cost him his job.


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