Liverpool have begun formal negotiations with Andoni Iraola to succeed Arne Slot, with sporting director Richard Hughes steering the search and the club weighing tactical fit alongside other shortlisted candidates such as Sebastian Hoeness and Pierre Sage
Published 10:01 BST, 2 June 2026. Liverpool have started formal discussions with Andoni Iraola as they seek a successor to Arne Slot after his sudden departure. The club’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, has taken point on negotiations, with an emphasis on securing a coach whose style aligns with the identity the supporters expect.
The decision to move on from Slot followed a detailed internal review led by Hughes alongside Michael Edwards, the football chief at owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG). While the club thanked Slot for delivering a Premier League title, the hierarchy concluded a change was necessary and informed the squad and public as the process unfolded.
Why Iraola is the preferred candidate
At the heart of Liverpool’s approach is the requirement that the incoming manager can implement a recognisable and entertaining brand of football. Iraola is admired for a high-energy approach developed during his spell at Bournemouth.
His teams emphasise high-pressing, rapid transitions and an aggressive forward tempo — traits many at Anfield remember fondly from the Jurgen Klopp era.
Those within Liverpool’s recruitment setup believe Iraola’s methods could reinvigorate the squad and restore a frenetic matchday identity. The presence of supporters and senior players who voiced dissatisfaction with Slot’s more cautious second season made stylistic compatibility a central criterion for any appointment.
Track record and interest from other clubs
Iraola’s managerial résumé includes spells at AEK Larnaca, Mirandes, Rayo Vallecano and most recently Bournemouth, whom he guided into the Europa League. That success has attracted attention across Europe; he has reportedly held conversations with AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen, while Crystal Palace were also linked to him. Despite that interest, sources indicate Iraola has a strong preference for the Anfield role.
How the search unfolded and other contenders
The search for a new manager was expedited after a review of the season’s performance data and scouting reports. Hughes and Edwards examined the team’s numbers and broader trajectory before presenting their recommendation. Although fan sentiment and unrest were considered, the decisive factors were performance analytics and the projected capacity for improvement under the current regime.
Alongside Iraola, Liverpool evaluated other options, including Sebastian Hoeness of Stuttgart and Pierre Sage at Lens. Each candidate offered different tactical blueprints, but the club’s priority remained a coach capable of recreating the high-intensity style that many players and supporters favour.
Internal dynamics and the timing of the dismissal
Club officials have confirmed Slot was informed of the decision around 11am, shortly before a public announcement at 12:30pm on the same day. The speed of that sequence — from notification to statement — underlines how quickly Hughes and Edwards moved once they had concluded their review.
FSG has publicly backed both Hughes and Edwards to continue overseeing Liverpool’s football operations despite the frustration surrounding last summer’s major recruitment outlay. The club invested close to £450m on incoming signings, including British-record transfers for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, yet the on-field returns fell short of expectations.
What this means for the squad and supporters
For players like Mohamed Salah and for a sizeable portion of the fan base, the hope is that a new manager can restore a more direct, press-forward identity. The contrast between Slot’s measured second season and the frenetic tempo cherished at Anfield has been a recurring talking point, and the club appears intent on finding a coach who can bridge that gap swiftly.
Beyond stylistic considerations, the incoming manager will inherit a squad reshaped by significant investment and the expectation to deliver both domestically and in Europe. The board’s choice will therefore balance tactical philosophy, leadership qualities and the ability to extract performances from high-profile signings.
Next steps in the appointment process
Negotiations with Iraola are ongoing, led by Hughes, and the club aims for a rapid conclusion while ensuring the selection is correct for Liverpool’s short- and long-term ambitions. If an agreement is reached, Iraola would become the latest in a sequence of managers tasked with sustaining Anfield’s competitive momentum at the highest level.
Until a formal appointment is made, Liverpool’s leadership will continue to weigh sporting project fit, transfer strategy alignment and the broader expectations of fans and stakeholders as they seek to define the club’s next chapter.
