By Abigail David
Liverpool have appointed Andoni Iraola as their new manager following the dismissal of Arne Slot after a disappointing Premier League title defence.
The Premier League club confirmed the Spaniard’s appointment on Thursday, with reports indicating he has signed a two-year contract.
Speaking after his appointment, Iraola described Liverpool as one of the biggest clubs in world football and said he was excited by the opportunity to lead the Reds.
The 43-year-old arrives at Anfield after a successful spell at Bournemouth, where he guided the club to a sixth-place Premier League finish and its first-ever qualification for European competition.
Iraola earned widespread praise for Bournemouth’s attacking, high-intensity style of play and for developing young talents during his three-year tenure. Under his leadership, the Cherries improved from 12th to ninth before securing sixth place this season.
Liverpool hope Iraola can revive the aggressive brand of football associated with former manager Jurgen Klopp after growing criticism of Slot’s more cautious approach.
Slot, who succeeded Klopp in 2024, enjoyed immediate success by leading Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English league title in his first season. However, the club endured a difficult 2025/26 campaign, finishing fifth and ending the season without silverware.
Liverpool’s struggles were compounded by injuries, disappointing performances from several new signings and mounting pressure from supporters as the team fell 25 points behind champions Arsenal.
Despite the setback, the Reds secured qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
