Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Andoni Iraola as their new head coach, with the Spaniard signing a two-year deal at Anfield. He takes charge following the sacking of Arne Slot on May 30, just one year after Slot led the club to the Premier League title.

Sporting director Richard Hughes oversaw the recruitment process — a search that quickly focused on Iraola, whom Hughes had previously appointed at Bournemouth in 2023 before his own move to Liverpool the following year.

Bournemouth's brilliant second half of the season

Iraola leaves Bournemouth having steered them through an impressive 18-game unbeaten run across the second half of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. That form carried the Cherries to a sixth-place finish and UEFA Europa League qualification — leaving them just three points behind Liverpool in the final standings.

The 'bottle of magic' factor

Sky Sports News' Mark McAdam believes Iraola's greatest strength is the emotional bond he builds between a squad and its supporters. At Bournemouth, McAdam noted, fans arrived at the Vitality Stadium believing they could beat anyone — Arsenal, Manchester City, or Liverpool — and were committed to the football regardless of the result.