Liverpool confirms Andoni Iraola as new coach

Liverpool has officially appointed Andoni Iraola as their new first-team manager, signing the Spanish coach to a two-year contract. Iraola takes the helm following a highly successful period with Bournemouth, where he guided the club to its first-ever Europa League qualification and consistently broke their record for most points in the English top flight.

Iraola, a former Athletic Club player, becomes the second Spanish manager in Liverpool's history, following Rafael Benítez. His appointment comes after Arne Slot's departure after two seasons. While Slot secured a Premier League title for Liverpool, the club's performance in European competitions did not meet expectations, prompting the change.

The Basque coach spent the last three seasons at Bournemouth. He began his managerial career at AEK Larnaca in Cyprus, winning a national Super Cup in 2018. He then managed Mirandés in Spain's second division before taking charge of Rayo Vallecano, whom he led to promotion and maintained in La Liga for two seasons.

His tenure at Bournemouth solidified his reputation in the Premier League. In his first season, he achieved a remarkable 12th-place finish with 48 points, a club record. He surpassed this mark in subsequent seasons with 56 and 57 points. Despite significant player departures in his final season, Iraola led the team to sixth place, narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification.

Iraola attracted interest from other clubs, including AC Milan and Crystal Palace. However, he ultimately chose Liverpool's project. The club is also preparing for significant player changes, with confirmed departures of Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konaté.