Liverpool are preparing to enter formal negotiations with Andoni Iraola this week as the club moves swiftly to appoint a new head coach following the dismissal of Arne Slot.

Slot was sacked on Saturday, barely 12 months after steering the club to the Premier League title — a decision made by Fenway Sports Group chief executive Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes, who are seeking a manager capable of delivering a more aggressive and front-foot style of football.

Iraola, currently departing Bournemouth after announcing in April that he would leave this summer, is the leading candidate for the role. The 43-year-old Spaniard led the Cherries to a sixth-placed Premier League finish — their best ever — securing a spot in next season's UEFA Europa League. Bournemouth ended the campaign just one position and three points behind Liverpool in the standings.

Hughes shares a prior working relationship with Iraola, having served as technical director at Bournemouth when the Basque coach was appointed there in 2023. Hughes departed the Cherries in 2024 to take up his current role at Liverpool.

Iraola has also attracted interest from Crystal Palace and AC Milan, raising the possibility of competition for his signature.

A troubled season at Anfield

Liverpool's campaign ended with 60 points — their lowest Premier League tally since 2015-16 and a full 25 points adrift of champions Arsenal — though the club did secure UEFA Champions League football for next season.

The Anfield club invested heavily in an attempt to defend their title, spending £415 million across six signings last summer — the largest outlay in a single transfer window by any British club in history.

That expenditure included a British transfer record fee of £125 million to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, as well as the acquisition of Bayer Leverkusen and Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz for a then-club record £116 million.

Iraola's background

Before moving into management, Iraola built his playing career primarily at Athletic Bilbao as a right-back for Spain. He began his coaching career in Cyprus with AEK Larnaca, before taking charge of Mirandes and then Rayo Vallecano in his homeland, earning a reputation for energetic, well-organised football. He joined Bournemouth in 2023 and quickly elevated the club to new heights.