Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement with Andoni Iraola for him to become their new manager, according to multiple reports.Iraola quickly emerged as the frontrunner for the vacant position at Anfield after the Reds parted company with Arne Slot on Saturday.And the former Bournemouth boss is now poised to sign a two-year contract to replace Slot. Iraola is said to be keen to take assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper with him to Anfield, though it is said that Bournemouth have not had any contact from Liverpool regarding that pair.Liverpools statement announcing Slots departure referenced the need for a different approach. That appeared to be a subtle nod to comments by the departing Mohamed Salah calling for a return to heavy metal football following defeat to Aston Villa last month.Having guided Bournemouth to a stunning sixth-placed finish in 2025-26, Iraola is clearly viewed as the man to deliver that change.Iraola lost three members of his back four at Bournemouth, including Milos Kerkez to Liverpool last summer. He then saw star winger Antoine Semenyo leave for Manchester City in January. Despite those departures, he still guided Bournemouth to European qualification for the first time in the clubs history. The Cherries finished just three points behind Liverpool in the race for the fifth and final Champions League spot as the Reds Premier League title defence faltered miserably in Slots second season in charge.Bournemouths high-intensity brand of football under Iraola won him widespread plaudits and, having announced in April that he would leave the club at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, he was linked with the vacant posts at Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen.Instead, he will now look to return Liverpool to the ranks of title contenders after they finished 25 points adrift of champions Arsenal. Topics Liverpool F.C. Premier League Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Manchester United agree 45m deal for Ederson Nicholas McGee 2nd June, 2026 Newcastle defender vows there is still much more to come after signing extension Nicholas McGee 2nd June, 2026 Liverpool legend Dalglish undergoing treatment for cancer Jon Fisher 2nd June, 2026 Former Liverpool hero John Barnes slams supporters for not backing Arne Slot: The owners didnt sack Slot the fans did Jon Fisher 2nd June, 2026 Premier League 2025/26 review: From Arsenal and Man City to Tottenham and Wolves, every clubs season rated Ben Miller 2nd June, 2026 Record-breaking former Liverpool and Man City midfielder Milner retires: It has been an incredible privilege Jon Fisher 1st June, 2026
