Who will be next Liverpool manager? Iraola talks to begin as fans plea for Luis Enrique | OneFootball

Liverpool’s search for a new manager is heating up with plenty of fans dreaming of appointing Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique but talks are set to begin this week with ex-Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.

Arne Slot’s sudden sacking on Saturday afternoon following a disappointing Premier League title defence has created a vacancy in the Anfield hotseat and the club will open formal talks with Iraola’s people this week as they step up their interest in appointing the Spaniard.

In an end-of-season review that led to Slot’s departure, Liverpool concluded they wanted more urgent and aggressive football – which could suit the former Cherries manager’s high-paced style of play.

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Andoni Iraola is Liverpool’s primary target to become their new head coach (PA Wire)

VfB Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and Lens’ Pierre Sage are also under consideration at Anfield but Iraola is the early frontrunner to take over after Slot’s dismissal, with the Dutchman since having written an open letter to Liverpool fans.

Iraola was headhunted by Liverpool director of football Richard Hughes for Bournemouth in 2023, following a successful three-season spell in charge of Rayo Vallecano, but the Reds face competition for the 43-year-old. AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen are showing an interest and Crystal Palace are making strenuous attempts to appoint him as the replacement to the departing Oliver Glasner.

However, a growing number of Liverpool fans are keen for the club to make a run at appointing Enrique, who is fresh off retaining the Champions League at PSG, as they dramatically broke Arsenal hearts in a penalty shootout in the final in Budapest over the weekend.

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Some Liverpool fans are desperate for the club to appoint Luis Enrique (Getty)

One such supporter is UFC star Paddy Pimblett and the Liverpudlian revealed his preference for the new boss – as well as his feelings on Slot’s departure – when speaking to CBS Sport ahead of the Champions League final.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Pimblett of Slot’s exit. “Personally, myself, I think he should have been sacked when we got beaten 4-1 at home by PSV Eindhoven.

"A team like Liverpool can’t be getting beat 4-1 at home to a Dutch side. It just shouldn’t be happening. You know what I mean? We’re a bigger football team than that. I think it’s better late than never but I think it’s a bit late to be honest.”

And when asked by Jamie Carragher who he wanted in the Anfield dugout next, Pimblett added: “I want Luis Enrique to win tonight and then step down from being PSG manager because he’s done the treble twice.

“Then be like ‘I want a new challenge.’ Because we are a challenge at the minute.”

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Enrique has won back-to-back Champions Leagues with PSG (Getty)

Former player Danny Murphy echoed the sentiment ahead of the clash, saying: “Part of me still thinks [Luis] Enrique, [Liverpool] might be able to nick him from PSG, especially if they beat Arsenal.”

Enrique was initially the bookies’ favourite to replace Slot after his sacking until Liverpool’s interest in Iraola became apparent, with many firms since having stopped taking bets on the Spaniard.

After PSG’s famous win over Arsenal to become back-to-back European champions, the club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi expressed confidence that Enrique will remain in charge.

“He’s very, very special, as a coach, human being, as a person, he is fantastic,” Al-Khelaifi told TNT Sports. “He’s the best coach in the world. He has done amazing with the team.

“With a young team, you know the story. I would also like to thank the players of PSG. This is also for them. They all gave to this project.”

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PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi (left) is confident of keeping Enrique (Getty)

When specifically asked if he expects Enrique to remain at the Parc des Princes amid rumours he will sign a new deal, Al-Khelaifi gave a clear answer.

“He’s the best coach, I cannot answer the question, but I’m really confident, and it’s all about the project,” the PSG president added. “And he is the best one for the project.”