Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sat 30 May 2026 13:10, UK

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Liverpool have parted ways with manager Arne Slot after a dismal season for the former Premier League champions.

The Reds stormed to the title in the Dutchman’s first year on Merseyside, but limped to fifth place at the end of the season with four consecutive games without a victory.

The final year of Slot’s tenure was littered with controversy, with the fallout ultimately resulting in the departure of club legend Mohamed Salah.

Decision-makers at Anfield will now be under huge pressure to appoint the right manager, with the recently departed Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola thought to be the early favourite.

Liverpool’s next manager was tipped for months to be Xabi Alonso, before he was appointed by Chelsea earlier this month.

Andoni Iraola is the man to get the best from Milos Kerkez

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider this week that Iraola is open to the Liverpool job, with the appointment now looking increasingly likely.

The Spaniard has yet to commit to reported job offers from Crystal Palace and AC Milan, with there being an inkling that he was waiting for a job such as the one at Anfield.

The 43-year-old has never taken charge of a club of such size, but if he is appointed, he will arrive with the credit of having transformed Bournemouth into a European team over three years.

Milos Kerkez was a huge part of that process, arriving in the summer of Iraola’s first season in charge and going on to make 74 appearances in two years for the Cherries.

The second of those campaigns convinced Liverpool to spend £40million on the 22-year-old, but he has not lived up to that price tag under Slot.

👏 @kerkez_official 👏

He's in the @EASPORTSFC Team of the Season ⭐️

There's also an honourable mention for @justinkluivert 👊

These cards 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/fF2cVIhKcY

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 2, 2025

The Hungary international clearly still has much to offer, however, and his old manager is likely the one to bring it out of him.

Who else would thrive under Iraola?

Iraola’s ability to develop young players has been crystal clear throughout his three years at the Vitality Stadium.

The likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Rio Ngumoha and Ryan Gravenberch could well go up levels under the Spaniard.

Entering the @premierleague record books 📚

Junior Kroupi, take a bow 💫 pic.twitter.com/vTAwVaUGN6

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 19, 2026

The news would be great for Alexander Isak, too, with strikers heavily supplied in Iraola’s systems.

It remains to be seen how the young manager handles the bigger personalities in the Liverpool dressing room, but stylistically, he appears to be a much better fit to get this squad firing once more.