(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Mon 1 June 2026 11:01, UK

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Andoni Iraola is set to be announced as the new Liverpool manager following their decision to sack Arne Slot last week.

Despite interest from rivals across Europe including AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and Crystal Palace, the 43-year-old has always prioritised the position at Anfield.

His work at Bournemouth to lead them into the Europa League despite losing key players had made him one of the most highly-regarded options available.

However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Iraola had already given Liverpool the green light before their decision to sack Slot.

The Spaniard will now take the reins at Anfield ahead of the World Cup, and there is hope that Liverpool’s next manager can improve on a disappointing season.

Andoni Iraola set to land Liverpool manager’s job

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider on 27 May that Iraola is interested in the Liverpool job, and things have since moved quickly.

An end-of-season review at Anfield led to Slot’s departure, with the board deeming that their performances this season fell well short of expectations.

There is now hope that Iraola will get the best out of his players after he emerged as the clear front-runner early on, and is now set to land the role.

“Iraola has had the choice of a few clubs this summer,” Brown told Football Insider.

“AC Milan wanted him, Bayer Leverkusen were spoken about, Crystal Palace even made him an offer, but now the Liverpool job has come up for him.

“It seems that was always the one he was waiting for, and from what I hear, that agreement was already in place when Liverpool decided to sack Slot.

“They made that decision knowing they already had Iraola lined up, because he’s the one they want to take over and it looks like it’s going to happen now.

“It was a disappointing season for Liverpool, that’s why they’ve made the change, and they hope he will bring them success like he did with Bournemouth.”

Why was Arne Slot sacked by Liverpool?

Iraola is now poised to step into the Anfield dugout after Slot was sacked, despite initial plans at Liverpool to stick with their manager into next season.

However, a disappointing end to what had been a miserable campaign which also included clashes with key players including Mohamed Salah made his position untenable.

Football Insider revealed on 24 May that Slot had lost the Liverpool dressing room, with players siding with Salah in what has been a long-running feud between them.

Salah shared a message to his social media calling for change and insisting results and the style of play have got to change, in a clear dig at the manager.

Multiple Liverpool stars were believed to share Salah’s views and criticisms of Slot, leading to his eventual dismissal, with a new era now set to begin under Iraola.