Liverpool could lose another top manager target to Premier League rival after Xabi Alonso blow
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesXabi AlonsoAfter Xabi Alonso agreed to become Chelsea's next manager, Liverpool could lose out on another top free agent coach with Andoni Iraola tipped to join a rival clubLiverpool could lose out on another top manager target after Xabi Alonso joined Chelsea(Image: Photo by Guillermo Martinez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Liverpool already missed out on landing Xabi Alonso and could now see another top free agent manager sign with a rival Premier League club.Departing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is expected to be one of the most sought after free agent coaches available this summer, with Liverpool rated as a potential suitor if Arne Slot is sacked. For now, Slot is expected to remain in the job heading into next campaign, but many fans have voiced their desire for Liverpool to move on from the Dutch manager after what has been a hugely disappointing season.Given Iraola’s immense value coming off of an excellent year with Bournemouth, it seems unlikely that he will be on the open market for very long.READ MORE: Southampton booted out of Championship playoffs over Spygate scandalREAD MORE: Arne Slot will be 'undermined' at Liverpool if Mohamed Salah gets farewell gameIn fact, the Spaniard is currently rated as the +150 favorite to become the next Crystal Palace manager once Oliver Glasner leaves at the end of this season.After losing out on Alonso, who was long considered a potential successor to Slot before ultimately agreeing to terms with Chelsea last week, turning down the chance to bring in Iraola could serve as another hammer blow in what has been a difficult stretch for Liverpool’s fanbase.After winning the 2024-25 Premier League title in Slot’s first year as manager, the Reds have regressed massively this season, already suffering 19 defeats in all competitions and on the brink of falling out of the top five in the league.Andoni Iraola is the favorite to take the Crystal Palace job this summer(Image: Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)If the record and stats weren’t telling enough, Mohamed Salah ’s scathing rant on social media after Liverpool’s recent 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa was."Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve.
I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies,” Salah wrote in his statement.Many perceived Salah’s words to be directed at Slot, while others identified the style of play the Egyptian is asking for as attainable if the Reds hire Iraola.READ MORE: Pep Guardiola already gave away what he'll do next in Jurgen Klopp farewellREAD MORE: Virgil van Dijk reveals Andy Robertson transfer instruction before Liverpool partnershipFormer Liverpool striker Emile Heskey told Hajper: “Andoni Iraola has shown he has the capabilities. He's shown that he's a very, very intelligent coach.
He’s played a back three. He’s played a back four.