Liverpool Football Club have appointed former Bournemouth Andoni Iraola as head coach and successor of former Dutch manager Arne Slot.

Iraola joins the Reds as their new head coach on a two-year contract as his appointment comes a week after he and the Cherries’ European qualification, following an outstanding top-flight campaign.

Speaking on the appointment, he expressed his excitement about joining the Merseyside club and the challenge of joining one of England’s top-flight clubs. 

He said, “Really excited, really excited, because obviously you know about Liverpool, you know that it’s a big club, a massive club, one of the biggest in the world.”

He added “I think Liverpool gives me the chance to coach top players, and top players give you the chance to fight for titles. To win titles.

“Obviously when you arrive at a place, you cannot promise everything. You cannot promise. But it’s true that I understand where I’m coming from and what is expected. I’m ready for the challenge.”

Iraola began his coaching career shortly after retiring from professional football, having spent the majority of his playing career at Athletic Bilbao. His first managerial role came in 2018 with Cypriot club AEK Larnaca.

He later moved to Spanish second-tier side CD Mirandés in 2019, where he gained widespread recognition after guiding the club to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, defeating several top-flight teams along the way.

In 2020, Iraola was appointed manager of Rayo Vallecano, helping the club secure promotion to La Liga in his first season before establishing them as a competitive top-flight side.

His success in Spain earned him a move to England in 2023, when he replaced Gary O’Neil as Bournemouth manager. He transformed the Cherries into one of the Premier League’s most exciting teams and oversaw the most successful campaign in the club’s history.

Iraola leaves Bournemouth as the first manager to guide the club to European qualification in its 127-year history. He now becomes Liverpool’s 23rd permanent manager and will officially take charge of the Reds from July.