Liverpool have announced the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club’s new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The 43-year-old Spaniard will take charge at Anfield following the departure of Arne Slot, who left the club last weekend.
Iraola joins the Reds after a highly successful spell with AFC Bournemouth, where he spent three seasons and guided the club to a historic sixth-place finish in the Premier League, securing European football for the first time in Bournemouth’s history.
Speaking after his appointment, Iraola expressed his excitement about taking on the role at one of world football’s biggest clubs.
He described Liverpool as a special institution with a passionate fan base, a rich history, and the opportunity to compete for major trophies.
The Spanish coach said the prospect of working with top-class players and challenging for honours made the job impossible to resist.
Born in Spain’s Basque region, Iraola enjoyed an outstanding playing career, spending 12 seasons with Athletic Club, where he made more than 500 appearances, primarily as a right-back.
He also represented Spain seven times before ending his playing career after a stint with New York City FC.
His coaching journey began in 2018 with AEK Larnaca, where he guided the team to victory in the Cypriot Super Cup. He later managed CD Mirandés before moving to Rayo Vallecano in 2020.
At Rayo Vallecano, Iraola achieved promotion to La Liga in his first season and further enhanced his reputation before making the move to the Premier League in 2023.
His impressive work at Bournemouth attracted widespread attention, particularly after the club’s remarkable 18-match unbeaten run helped secure European qualification last season.
Iraola now begins a new chapter at Liverpool, where he will start preparations for the upcoming season as the club aims to challenge for domestic and European success.
