Liverpool considering Premier League boss as potential Arne Slot replacement | OneFootball

Liverpool monitoring Andoni Iraola amid internal admiration

There is growing awareness within Liverpool of the work carried out by Andoni Iraola, with sources indicating that sections of the club’s leadership hold the Bournemouth head coach in high regard.

The situation does not point to any immediate change involving Arne Slot, who delivered the Premier League title in his first season at Anfield in 2024-25. However, internal planning at elite clubs is continuous, and contingency options are routinely assessed.

Background on Iraola’s Bournemouth progress

At AFC Bournemouth, Iraola has built a reputation for progressive coaching and tactical clarity. After signing a 12 month contract extension last summer, his current deal runs until the end of the 2025-26 campaign, a detail that has not gone unnoticed across the league.

His impact was immediate. Bournemouth transitioned from relegation candidates to a side capable of competing in mid table, even pushing towards European qualification places during the 2024-25 season, where they finished ninth. That trajectory has dipped slightly this term, with the club currently positioned 13th, though performances have retained structural consistency.

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Iraola’s approach is defined by intensity, pressing high up the pitch and encouraging vertical transitions. That identity has drawn interest from clubs seeking modern tactical alignment.

Liverpool leadership perspectives and quoted insight

Reporting from Mark Douglas of the i Paper provides further context on how Iraola is viewed internally at Liverpool, alongside other candidates previously considered during managerial succession planning.

“The availability of Xabi Alonso, while not necessarily a good stylistic fit for the squad he would inherit, complicates matters but The i Paper understands there is also enthusiasm in some quarters of the Liverpool brains trust about the work of Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who is set to be a free agent in the summer.”

“Eddie Howe – whose future is less certain than it was at the start of the year – was considered for the job when Jurgen Klopp’s departure was signposted two years ago but bridges have been burned on that score by the elongated and damaging pursuit of Alexander Isak 12 months ago.”

Names such as Xabi Alonso and Eddie Howe remain part of broader discussions, reflecting Liverpool’s tendency to evaluate multiple profiles rather than focus on a single option.

There are additional layers to Iraola’s connection with Liverpool. Sporting director Richard Hughes, who previously worked at Bournemouth, played a central role in appointing the Spaniard on the south coast. That existing relationship may inform internal dialogue, even if indirectly.

Before his move to England, Iraola developed his credentials in Spain, notably with Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano. At Rayo, he secured promotion to La Liga and guided the club into the top half, achievements that elevated his standing across European football.

More recently, his name has surfaced in connection with Athletic Club, where he is a prominent former player. The Bilbao side are preparing for a managerial transition following the planned departure of Ernesto Valverde, adding another dimension to Iraola’s future.

For Liverpool, the current focus remains on stability under Slot. Yet, as is standard practice at the highest level, emerging managerial profiles such as Iraola continue to be tracked, assessed and discussed behind the scenes.