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With Arne Slot sacked after a forgettable 2025-26 Premier League season, Liverpool FC have appointed Andoni Iraola as their new manager ahead of the upcoming edition. Andoni Iraola has the experience of managing a handful of clubs as he hopes to get Liverpool’s fortunes back on track.
Who is Andoni Iraola? Liverpool finalise Arne Slot’s successor
Born in Usurbil in Spain on June 22, 1982, the Spainard has managed clubs like AEK Larnaca, Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth in his coaching career. He had joined Bournemouth in June 2023, signing a two-year contract with the club. Despite a seesaw season, Iraola was retained by the club in 2024, providing another two-year extension. That season saw the Cherries finished with best-ever 48 points in the 12th place. That year, he also oversaw a 2-1 victory over a strong Manchester City, thereby ending their unbeaten 32-game winning run in the league. Under Iraola, Bournemouth had also beaten table-toppers and eventual Premier League winners Arsenal 2-1.
As far as the 43-year-old’s playing career goes, he featured for Basconia, Bilbao Athletic, Athletic Bilbao and New York City FC. Iraola also played seven games for Spain.
What did Andoni Iraola ahead of his stint with Liverpool
Reacting to his appointment as the manager of the club, Iraola stated that he cannot get waited to start his stint with Liverpool, given it is one of the massive in the world. He said, as quoted by BBC:
“Really excited, really excited. Because obviously you know about Liverpoolyou 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.”
The decision to get rid of Slot was made by Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes as they reportedly decided the need for aggressive approach moving forward. Slot went down with 42 wins 18 draws and 16 losses under his tenure. Jurgen Klopp is arguably the most successful of the lot with 209 victories, 78 draws and 47 defeats.
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