Andoni Iraola lands in Liverpool ahead of appointment as Arne Slot replacement
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesAndoni IraolaAndoni Iraola has landed in Liverpool ahead of being confirmed as the club's new head coach, with the Spaniard expected to sign a two-year contract after flying in from Spain following the sacking of Arne SlotThe jet carrying Andoni Iraola into Liverpool John Lennon Airport arrived this morning(Image: Iain Watts)Andoni Iraola has touched down on Merseyside ahead of his appointment as Liverpool's new head coach following the dismissal of Arne Slot last weekend.Iraola's aircraft from San Sebastian in Spain landed at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Thursday morning, with the Spaniard set to sign a two-year deal having already reached a verbal understanding with the Reds.Liverpool have identified the 43-year-old, who stepped off the aircraft into a waiting bus on the opposite side of the plane, as their top choice after deciding to dismiss Premier League title-winning manager Slot after just two campaigns at the helm. Iraola's appointment is set to be confirmed in the coming days.Iraola is currently unattached having departed Bournemouth at the conclusion of the season following three years in charge and recently guiding them to European qualification for the first time in the club's history.Negotiations regarding the Anfield position have been spearheaded by the club's sporting director Richard Hughes, who brought Iraola to Bournemouth during his previous role at the South Coast outfit.Iraola operated as a right-back during his playing days and spent most of his career at Athletic Bilbao, while as a youngster he featured in the same San Sebastian youth side as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and new Chelsea boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.He launched his coaching career with a short spell in Cyprus at AEK Larnaca before one season at Mirandés in Spain's second division and a subsequent three-year period at Rayo Vallecano, whom he promoted to La Liga and steered to the Copa del Rey semi-finals.Andoni Iraola is set to take over at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Although Iraola has never claimed a major trophy either as a player or a manager, his attacking, high-intensity approach has earned him an increasingly prominent reputation in the Premier League.And while Liverpool also had Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness and Lens' Pierre Sage on their shortlist as potential replacements for Slot, the club believe Iraola is the ideal fit for their squad following a deeply disappointing season.Iraola's impending two-year deal follows a pattern, after he also signed two two-year contracts during his time at Bournemouth – one when he was appointed in 2023, and then another when he signed an extension the following year.Iraola reportedly wants Pablo de la Torre, Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper and Tom Webber to be on his staff at Anfield.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Andoni IraolaLiverpool FC