Iraola reportedly to FC Liverpool

At FC Liverpool, Iraola would succeed Arne Slot. The Dutchman was dismissed after the end of the season, as the team had only finished fifth in the past season. The previous year, Slot had still won the championship with Liverpool. After the disappointing performance, the club drew its conclusions and parted ways with its successful coach.

Slot's Dismissal After Disappointing Season

Iraola's path at Bournemouth was steadily upward. In his first season, he led the club to twelfth place, and a year later to ninth. With sixth place in the most recent season, he achieved the best result of his tenure on the south coast of England and established Bournemouth as a serious Premier League club. The success attracted interest from bigger clubs.

Bayer Leverkusen Was Also Interested

In addition to Liverpool, Iraola was also considered a possible successor to Kasper Hjulmand at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. This put the Spaniard on the candidate list for two prominent clubs. The reports about the move to Liverpool are classified by Romano as a basic agreement, so the Spanish coach is expected to take over at Anfield Road.

FC Liverpool is one of the most successful clubs in English football history and had triumphed under Slot the previous season. After the disappointing fifth place in the past season, the management was clearly looking for a coach who could lead the club back into the title race. With Iraola, they are signing a coach who has shown at Bournemouth that he can significantly develop a team within a few years.

The move fits into a phase where several top Premier League clubs are filling their coaching positions anew. With Iraola, who is considered a meticulous and tactically astute worker in his native Spain, Liverpool is getting a coach who, despite his age of 43, already has international experience and Premier League routine.

When the club will officially confirm the move remained open for the time being. Romano spoke in his posts of a basic agreement having been reached, without mentioning further details about the contract duration or possible options. Should the transfer go through as reported, it would be Iraola's second time as head coach in a top European league, following his engagement at Bournemouth.