Liverpool appoint former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola as manager

Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola will take over as Liverpool manager for two years, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

The 43-year-old replaces Dutchman Arne Slot, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season but was sacked after failing to live up to expectations in his second season.

«It doesn’t take much to be attracted to Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool,» Iraola said in a statement.

«But of course the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance for me to coach top players, the chance to fight for titles. I don’t think it can be more attractive than this. It’s hard to find it. So I’m really looking forward to getting started.»

Iraola, a former Spain international who played for Athletic Bilbao between 2003 and 2015, took charge of Bournemouth in 2023 and oversaw a significant upturn in the club’s fortunes.

In the 2024–25 season, Bournemouth recorded a points total of 56, finishing in ninth place, their joint best finish in the top flight at the time.

The Spaniard, who announced his departure from the south coast club in April, improved on that finish this season by guiding Bournemouth to sixth place and sealing qualification for the Europa League.

Iraola now faces the difficult task of reviving a side that finished in fifth place last season, while also dealing with the absence of Salah, who has been Liverpool’s main source of goals for much of the past decade.

The appointment also marks a significant step forward for Iraola, with the Liverpool job being by far the most high-profile of his managerial career and serving as a litmus test of his credentials.

Published on June 5, 2026