Liverpool names Iraola as new head coach

Liverpool FC, a team in the English Premier League, has announced that Andoni Iraola is the club’s new head coach for the 2026-27 season.

The 43-year-old Spaniard will take over at Anfield after Arne Slot left the club on Saturday.

Iraola comes to Liverpool after a successful period with AFC Bournemouth. He spent three seasons there and led the team to a historic sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season. This achievement gave Bournemouth European football for the first time in the club’s history.

After his appointment, Iraola shared his excitement about joining one of football’s biggest clubs.

“Really excited, really excited,” he told Liverpoolfc.com. “Because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it’s a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world.

“But feeling inside and understanding a little bit more of this club, I always thought it’s a special club.

“You don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool. Liverpool is Liverpool.

“But obviously the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players, the chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles. I think it cannot be more attractive than this. It’s difficult to find it. So, really excited to start.”

Iraola was born in the Basque region of northern Spain. He had a successful playing career, spending 12 seasons with Athletic Club. He made over 500 appearances, mostly as a right-back.

He also played for Spain seven times before ending his playing days after a spell with New York City FC in the United States from 2015 to 2016.

Iraola started his coaching journey in 2018 as the manager of AEK Larnaca in Cyprus. During his time there, he helped the team win the Cypriot Super Cup.

He then moved to Spanish side Mirandes before joining Rayo Vallecano in 2020. In his first season, he led them back to La Liga, Spain’s top division.

His success in Spain led to his move to the Premier League in 2023 when Bournemouth hired him as manager.

Under his guidance, Bournemouth became one of the league’s most exciting teams. Last season, the Cherries earned a spot in Europe after going on an impressive 18-match unbeaten run in the second half of the season.

Now, Iraola starts a new chapter with Liverpool. He will prepare the Reds for the upcoming season as they aim to compete for major trophies at home and in Europe.