Liverpool FC have confirmed the appointment of Andoni Iraola as their new head coach, with the Spaniard set to take charge at Anfield ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Iraola, 43, steps into the role vacated by Arne Slot, who left the club on Saturday. The former AFC Bournemouth manager arrives with his reputation firmly established after three seasons in the Premier League, where he guided the Cherries into European competition for the first time in their history with a sixth-place finish last month.

A decorated playing career

Born in the Basque Country in northern Spain, Iraola built a distinguished career as a right-back, making more than 500 appearances for Athletic Club across 12 seasons. He also earned seven international caps for Spain before a move to New York City FC, where he played between 2015 and 2016 before retiring.

The path to management

Iraola made his managerial debut in the summer of 2018 at AEK Larnaca, where he delivered the Cypriot Super Cup in his first assignment. He subsequently took the reins at Mirandes in Spain's second division before joining Rayo Vallecano in 2020, guiding them to promotion to La Liga in his first season at the club.

His steady rise through the coaching ranks, culminating in three progressive campaigns at AFC Bournemouth, persuaded Liverpool FC to hand him the keys to one of football's most storied institutions.