Liverpool 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 replaces Arne Slot, whose spell with the Reds came to an end at the close of the previous campaign.

A fresh chapter begins at Anfield

The Merseyside club announced that the 43-year-old Iraola has signed an agreement to lead the team into the upcoming season. He steps in after Slot’s departure on Saturday, marking the start of a new managerial era for the Reds.

Iraola arrives with his reputation soaring, following an outstanding three-year stint with Bournemouth in the Premier League. During his tenure on the South Coast, he established a dynamic, attacking brand of football that propelled the Cherries to a historic sixth-place finish and secured their first-ever qualification for European competition last month.

Excitement for a new challenge

Speaking to the club’s official website, the new manager shared his enthusiasm about joining one of football’s most storied clubs. “Really excited, really excited,” Iraola said. “Because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it’s a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world. But feeling inside and understanding a little bit more of this club, I always thought it’s a special club.”

He added: “You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool. But obviously 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 the Basque country to the English top flight

Born in the Basque region of northern Spain, Iraola enjoyed an extensive playing career as a right-back, amassing over 500 appearances for Athletic Club across 12 seasons. He also earned seven caps for Spain and later joined New York City FC between 2015 and 2016 before retiring from professional football.

His managerial journey has been rapid and impressive. Iraola began his coaching career in 2018 with AEK Larnaca, guiding them to victory in the Cypriot Super Cup. He then took charge of Spanish second-tier outfit Mirandes, where his tactical intelligence began to gain recognition.

The rise of a tactical innovator

In 2020, Iraola moved to Rayo Vallecano, where he achieved promotion to La Liga in his first season. His ability to maximise the potential of limited resources continued to draw attention in Spain’s top division. Within three years, his success attracted offers from England, leading to his appointment as Bournemouth manager in the Premier League.

Under his leadership, Bournemouth achieved a remarkable feat last season, going 18 matches unbeaten in the latter half of the campaign to secure a sixth-place finish and European qualification. Now at Liverpool, Iraola will focus on shaping his new squad for the upcoming season, aiming to keep the Reds competing for major honours both domestically and in Europe.