Andoni Iraola 'misses deadline to accept job' as Liverpool meeting set up with new manager
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Andoni Iraola has missed a 24-hour deadline to accept a managerial role. (Image: Getty)Andoni Iraola has allowed a reported 24-hour deadline set by Crystal Palace to accept the managerial role at Selhurst Park to pass, as Liverpool arrange talks with the departing Bournemouth boss.
It was claimed the 43-year-old had until the weekend to inform Steve Parish and the Eagles of his intentions, with Liverpool's Premier League rivals equally determined to secure his services.Oliver Glasner is due to depart Selhurst Park when his contract expires, and Palace were eager to lure Iraola to the capital. However, Iraola is also understood to be the leading candidate to succeed Arne Slot following his dismissal by the Anfield hierarchy.
Read our Privacy PolicyLiverpool are preparing to intensify negotiations with Iraola this week, and are keen to have a new manager in place before the World Cup gets underway on June 11th.Iraola is additionally reported to be a target for Italian giants AC Milan, while German powerhouses Bayer Leverkusen are also said to have entered into discussions with the former Cherries chief.Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes was instrumental in bringing Iraola to the Vitality Stadium three years ago, when the Reds executive held the same position on the south coast, and there is enormous respect at Anfield for the achievements of the Bournemouth boss.Those in Iraola's inner circle have remained tight-lipped, refusing to be drawn on the matter, but Liverpool are anxious to confirm a successor without delay ahead of a crucial season.It is understood that Iraola represents an attractive proposition as club owners Fenway Sports Group seek a more dynamic and attack-oriented style of play, following a turbulent campaign under Slot that saw the Reds endure 20 defeats across all competitions.Arne Slot was fired by Liverpool on May 30. (Image: Getty Images)Bournemouth rounded off the season with an impressive unbeaten run of 18 matches, clinching European football for the first time in their history.Throughout Iraola's time at the helm, the Cherries were widely regarded as one of the most relentless pressing outfits in the Premier League, with Slot frequently referencing their running statistics in the build-up to encounters between the two sides over the past two seasons.The Reds insist that their search for a new manager will not be narrowed down to a solitary target at this stage, yet Iraola has rapidly emerged as the preferred target, it is understood.Liverpool have drawn up a shortlist believed to include Sebastian Hoeness of Stuttgart and Pierre Sage of Lens, and are eager to confirm an appointment at the earliest possible opportunity, affording Slot's successor sufficient time to thoroughly assess and prepare the squad ahead of the forthcoming campaign.Slot was notified of Liverpool's decision to terminate his employment on Saturday morning, before the announcement was made public at 12.30pm, with the Dutchman's backroom team subsequently starting the process of officially confirming their own departures.