Liverpool Appoints Iraola as New Head Coach

Liverpool FC has announced the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club's new head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 43-year-old Spaniard will take charge at Anfield following the departure of Arne Slot, who left the club on Saturday, June 3, 2026. Iraola joins Liverpool after an impressive spell with AFC Bournemouth, where he spent three seasons. He guided the club to a historic sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season, securing European football for Bournemouth for the first time in the club's history. After his appointment, Iraola expressed his excitement about taking over at 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." Iraola emphasized the unique atmosphere and strong support system at Liverpool, which he found very attractive. Born in the Basque region of northern Spain, Iraola had a successful playing career. He spent 12 seasons with Athletic Club, making over 500 appearances mainly as a right-back. He also represented Spain seven times before ending his playing career after a spell with New York City FC in the United States from 2015 to 2016. Iraola began his coaching journey in 2018 with AEK Larnaca in Cyprus, winning the Cypriot Super Cup. He later managed Mirandes and then Rayo Vallecano, where he guided them back to La Liga. In 2023, Bournemouth appointed him as manager, where his leadership helped the team become one of the league's most exciting sides, culminating in a remarkable 18-match unbeaten run in the second half of the season. Iraola is now set to begin a new chapter with Liverpool, preparing to lead the team as they seek major trophies at home and in Europe.