Liverpool are in talks Sunday with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola about becoming the club's next head coach, according to a report from Yahoo Sports.
Journalist Ben Jacobs confirmed the development on Twitter. "Andoni Iraola is the clear favourite to replace Arne Slot, with talks set to take place today," he wrote.
Iraola, 43, just completed his final season at AFC Bournemouth, guiding the club into the UEFA Europa League after a dramatic final-day draw against Nottingham Forest. His contract expired this summer. The Basque tactician built a reputation at Bournemouth for high-pressing, dynamic football before confirming his departure.
Liverpool sacked Arne Slot and want to move in a different direction. The Times reported a desire for what the club described as a more front-foot, aggressive and urgent style of football. That vision aligns with Iraola's approach at Bournemouth. It also aligns with what Mohamed Salah called for toward the end of the campaign, when he publicly pushed for a return to a style sometimes described as heavy metal football.
Liverpool are not the only club chasing Iraola. AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, and Crystal Palace have all reportedly made concrete approaches. Liverpool are pushing hard and want an answer quickly so they can move forward with their summer transfer business.
The next several hours are expected to be critical in determining where Iraola ends up.
