Liverpool have officially appointed Andoni Iraola as their new head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season, ending speculation surrounding the managerial vacancy left after Arne Slot was sacked.
The Reds confirmed the appointment on Thursday evening, announcing that the Spaniard has agreed a deal to take charge at Anfield after leaving AFC Bournemouth at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Iraola succeeds Slot, whose tenure came to an end last week, and arrives on Merseyside with a growing reputation as one of Europe’s most highly-rated coaches after transforming Bournemouth into one of the Premier League’s most competitive sides.
The 43-year-old guided the Cherries to a historic sixth-place finish last season, securing European football for the first time in the club’s history.
His achievements attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Crystal Palace and Fulham, both of whom were searching for new managers following the departures of Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva respectively.
Confirming the appointment, Liverpool said in a statement: “Liverpool FC can confirm Andoni Iraola has agreed a deal to become the club’s new head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season.”
Excitement Over Anfield Opportunity
Speaking after his appointment, Iraola expressed his delight at taking over one of world football’s most iconic clubs. “Really excited, really excited,” he told Liverpool’s media. “Because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it’s a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world.”
The Spaniard revealed that learning more about the club’s culture and identity only strengthened his desire to take the job.
“But feeling inside and understanding a little bit more of this club, I always thought it’s a special club. You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool.”
Andoni Iraola
Iraola also highlighted the opportunity to work with elite players and compete for major honours as key reasons behind his decision. “The atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles. I think it cannot be more attractive than this. It’s difficult to find it. So, really excited to start.”
From Athletic Club Captain to Premier League Manager
Born in Spain’s Basque region, Iraola enjoyed an outstanding playing career before moving into management. The former right-back made more than 500 appearances for Athletic Club during a distinguished 12-year spell and earned seven international caps for Spain.
After concluding his playing career with New York City FC in Major League Soccer, he began coaching in 2018 with Cypriot side AEK Larnaca, where he immediately tasted success by winning the Cypriot Super Cup.
His managerial reputation grew further during a productive stint with Spanish club Mirandés before he took charge of Rayo Vallecano in 2020. There, he guided the Madrid-based side back to La Liga in his first season and established them as one of Spain’s most competitive teams.
The impressive work done at Rayo eventually earned him a move to England, with Bournemouth appointing him as head coach in 2023.
Bournemouth Success Paved the Way
Although his first months in the Premier League brought challenges, Iraola quickly implemented an energetic and aggressive playing style that transformed Bournemouth into a very competitive side capable of beating any team in England.
His finest achievement came during the recently concluded season when Bournemouth produced a remarkable 18-match unbeaten run during the second half of the campaign. The streak propelled the south coast club into sixth place and secured a historic qualification for European competition.
Liverpool believe those achievements demonstrate Iraola’s ability to build competitive teams capable of challenging at the highest level.
The club stated that the Spaniard “will take up the helm at Anfield” as preparations begin for the new season, with expectations high among supporters eager to see the next chapter of the club’s history unfold.
Iraola now faces the biggest challenge of his managerial career as he takes charge of a Liverpool side aiming to compete for the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles. With his reputation built on tactical innovation, high-intensity football and player development, the former Bournemouth boss arrives at Anfield determined to make an immediate impact.
Preparations for the new campaign are expected to begin in the coming weeks as Iraola starts work with his new squad who will not be at the FIFA World Cup and begins shaping Liverpool’s ambitions for the 2026-27 season.
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