Liverpool appoint Andoni Iraola as head coach

Liverpool FC have confirmed Andoni Iraola as their new head coach. The appointment was announced on 4 June 2026 following the dismissal of Arne Slot on 30 May. Iraola signed a two‑year contract. Iraola arrives from AFC Bournemouth, where he guided the club to a historic sixth‑place finish in the Premier League and secured UEFA Europa League qualification. His tenure at Bournemouth was noted for a high‑intensity, tactical style of play. Liverpool’s decision is viewed as risky because the club has struggled with Premier League‑to‑Premier League appointments. Both Brendan Rodgers and Roy Hodgson, the only previous Premier League coaches hired by Liverpool, failed to meet expectations. The Premier League has seen few direct moves between clubs; Iraola is the only recent example. Unai Emery is the only manager this season to finish in the top ten after previously coaching a Premier League side.

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Only two coaches have ever won the Premier League after previously managing in the league: Jose Mourinho in 2014/15 and Claudio Ranieri in 2015/16. Mourinho returned to the same club, while Ranieri’s triumph came with a different side. Mikel Arteta is the sole manager to capture the Premier League title without any prior top‑flight league trophy, having done so in his first senior role. Arteta had previously served as an assistant under Pep Guardiola before becoming Arsenal’s head coach. Manuel Pellegrini also won the Premier League without a previous domestic league title, extending the pattern to European leagues. Overall, ten of the thirteen Premier League champions had previously secured a top‑flight title in Europe before their English triumph. Liverpool hope Iraola can break this trend. Since his arrival, Iraola has begun minor adjustments to pre‑season planning and is coordinating with sporting director Richard Hughes on squad reinforcements. He is also overseeing the reintegration of players returning from the World Cup ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.