Andoni Iraola flies out of Liverpool as new role set to be confirmed
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NewsLiverpool NewsLiverpool FCThe 43-year-old arrived on Merseyside today with reports of him signing a dealAndoni Iraola has flown out of Liverpool after arriving into John Lennon Airport this morning. The potential new Liverpool head coach landed on Merseyside soil earlier today with reports of him set to sign a two-year contract with the Reds.The 43-year-old landed at Liverpool John Lennon Airport from San Sebastian at around 10.40am.
It is reported that the Spaniard has reached a verbal agreement with Liverpool FC following Arne Slot's sacking last weekend.Slot was dismissed from the position as head coach after two years and discussions soon began over the prestigious Anfield role.Conversations were led by the club's sporting director Richard Hughes, who appointed Iraola at Bournemouth when he was previously working at the South Coast side.Iraola is now a free agent having left Bournemouth at the end of the season after three seasons. Last month he led them to European qualification for the first time in their history.After spending a few hours in Liverpool, Iraola has now departed from John Lennon Airport in his jet.The flight took off just after 4.30pm, and is scheduled to arrive in San Sebastian at 7.22pm local time.An ECHO photographer captured the potential future head coach leaving Merseyside this afternoon.Iraola was a right-back as a player and spent the majority of his career at Athletic Bilbao, and as a youth played in the same team in San Sebastian as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and new Chelsea manager and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.He began his managerial career with a brief stint in Cyprus with AEK Larnaca before one year at Mirandes in the Spanish second tier and a subsequent three-year stint at Rayo Vallecano, who he took into La Liga and to the last four of the Copa del Rey.While Iraola has never won a major honour as either a player or manager, his attack-minded, high intensity style of play has earned him a growing reputation in the Premier League.Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter.Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here.
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