Andoni Iraola named as Liverpool's new head coach

Andoni Iraola has been named Liverpool's new head coach, replacing Arne Slot.

The appointment comes after the Spaniard led AFC Bournemouth to their best ever Premier League finish last season.

Liverpool FC said on X: "We can confirm Andoni Iraola has agreed a deal to become the club's new head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season."

Slot, who won the Premier League in his first season at the Reds, was sacked on Saturday. The Dutchman struggled in his second season at Anfield, with Liverpool finishing in fifth place.

Iraola, who oversaw the Cherries defeat of Liverpool in January announced he would leave this summer at the end of his contract.

Bournemouth finished sixth in the Premier League, just one place below Liverpool.

The sixth-placed finish meant the club qualified for the Europa League next season - the first time they had ever done so - along with Sunderland and Crystal Palace.

Speaking to Sky Sports on his last game in charge, Iraola said European football was his way of "giving back to the owner, players, supporters, this European qualification is just one way of thanking everyone".

He added: "I enjoyed every second with the fans, with the players. It's nice to finish like this, something to celebrate. Honestly happy and in the changing room we were celebrating like we should."

Iraola, who joined Bournemouth in 2023, ended the 2025/26 season on an 18-game unbeaten streak.

Marco Rose, who previously managed Borussia Dortmund and won a trophy with RB Leipzig, will take over from Iraola at Bournemouth on 1 July.

According to Sky Sports, Rose flew to Bournemouth a day after the Premier League season ended to meet Iraola and the club's staff and management.

Iraola has drawn plaudits for his style of football, a mix between aggressive pressing, going toe-to-toe with the biggest teams, and knowing when to be defensively solid.

That praise sits in stark contrast to the feedback offered to his predecessor at Liverpool, who was seemingly criticised by star attacker Mohammed Salah for his style of football.

(c) Sky News 2026: Andoni Iraola named as Liverpool's new head coach