Andoni Iraola named Liverpool head coach just days after Arne Slot sacking

Liverpool have appointed Andoni Iraola as their new head coach.

The Spaniard has officially arrived at Anfield as Arne Slot‘s successor, signing a two-year deal to take him through to the end of the 2027/28 season.

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It comes after Slot was sacked on Saturday following an unsuccessful Premier League title defence, with the Reds getting a deal done swiftly before the World Cup begins.

“Really excited, really excited,” Iraola said in his introductory interview.

“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.”

As talkSPORT reported in our latest notebook, Iraola wants to bring his Bournemouth coaching staff to Liverpool.

Former Cherries defender Tommy Elphick, who recently turned down the Bristol City job, is set to join him.

A new dawn

Liverpool finished 25 points adrift of champions Arsenal in fifth place this season after suffering 12 Premier League defeats.

That came just a year after they had won a record-equalling 20th title during Slot’s first season in charge.

The Dutchman has now been replaced in the Liverpool dugout by the former Bournemouth boss.

Iraola left the Cherries at the end of the season following three years in charge at the Vitality Stadium.

His final season at the helm saw Bournemouth qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.

Their sixth-place finish has guaranteed Europa League football next term, with Marco Rose chosen as Iraola’s replacement.

Now at Liverpool, Iraola is set to welcome Jeremy Jacquet to the club after they agreed a £60million deal with Rennes in February.

Furthermore, talkSPORT understands that the Reds have reached an agreement in principle to sign Colombian starlet Samuel Martinez.

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