- Liverpool want Crystal Palace target Andoni Iraola
- The Reds sacked Arne Slot
- Explains why Iraola snubbed Palace
Liverpool have sacked Arne Slot and their top choice to replace him is Crystal Palace managerial target Andoni Iraola. The Dutch coach led the Reds to the Premier League title in 2025 but his side nosedived this season.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that it’s over between the Merseysiders and Slot. He claims that Iraola is “the clear favourite” to take over at Anfield.
Slot’s future had been in doubt as the campaign progressed amid his side’s poor run of form. They finished fifth in the Premier League, stuttering in their defence of the title.
Liverpool want Iraola to replace Slot
Liverpool’s decision comes amid Iraola leaving Bournemouth. The Spaniard confirmed his departure in April but many felt Xabi Alonso was the ideal replacement for Slot.
Alonso has instead taken charge of Chelsea, and a month ago, the club’s higher-ups indicated that they were sticking with Slot. That stance has changed and as a result they are now on the lookout for a new manager.
Iraola is their top choice and that all but certainly confirms Palace have missed out on the Spanish tactician. The departing Bournemouth boss has been linked with the Eagles in recent months.
Sky Sports reported earlier this week that Iraola had snubbed the South London outfit and AC Milan. His priority was Bayer Leverkusen or Liverpool.
It’s a blow for Palace, who could have built on Glasner’s incredibly successful reign with one of Europe’s most highly-admired managers. They now seem to have switched their focus to Dino Toppmoller, who succeeded the Austrian at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Iraola clarity
Palace had been eyeing Iraola for quite some time, and fans grew optimistic that he would accept the job. The South Londoners’ Conference League win granted them Europa League qualification, and the feeling had been that this could persuade the Spaniard.
Perhaps Iraola was informed that Slot’s dismissal was on the cards at the end of the season. He had plenty of clubs keen on appointing him, including Milan, which, like the Eagles, failed in its approach.
Iraola has earned huge plaudits throughout his time at Bournemouth. This season, he’s guided the Cherries to a sixth-placed finish in the league, achieving Europa League qualification.
