Iraola jets in to Liverpool to finalize Anfield deal as Spaniard announced as new head coach

LONDON: Andoni Iraola arrived in Liverpool on Thursday to finalize the details of his appointment as the club’s new head coach following the dismissal of Arne Slot.

His appointment was confirmed on Thursday evening.

We can confirm Andoni Iraola has agreed a deal to become the club’s new head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 4, 2026

The 43-year-old had flown into the city’s John Lennon Airport on a private jet from San Sebastian in Spain and was driven away in a silver people carrier shortly afterwards.

Iraola is understood to have agreed a two-year deal to succeed Slot, who was sacked last Saturday after a miserable Premier League title defense.

The Spaniard was quickly identified as the club’s primary target and negotiations have been conducted swiftly as he had already agreed to leave Bournemouth at the end of this season.

"I want to become one more of you." pic.twitter.com/EN38rKmKRz

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 4, 2026

Slot led Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English league title in his debut season in 2024/25 but was powerless to halt Liverpool’s slide in his second campaign in charge.

The Reds finished fifth in the Premier League, 25 points behind champions Arsenal, which at least guaranteed qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Iraola is expected to deliver a more urgent, aggressive style of football, which characterised the team under beloved former manager Jurgen Klopp.

He earned rave reviews for Bournemouth’s sixth-place finish in the Premier League this season, which secured European qualification for the first time in the club’s history.