Liverpool fans track flight as Andoni Iraola scheduled to arrive to finalize contract
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesAndoni IraolaA private jet was scheduled to travel from San Sebastian to Liverpool, departing at 09:30 CEST and arriving at 10:20 BST, and Liverpool fans believe Andoni Iraola was on the flightAndoni Iraola is closing in on the Liverpool jon(Image: Getty Images)Soccer supporters tracking the movement of private jets has become an odd theme of transfer windows in recent years, and that's what some Liverpool fans have been doing this morning in anticipation of Andoni Iraola's arrival on Merseyside.Iraola was due to touch down in England on Thursday morning ahead of putting the final touches on a two-year contract at Liverpool.And some fans believe that they identified the exact flight that Iraola was on – a private jet that was scheduled to travel from San Sebastian to Liverpool, departing at 09:30 CEST and arriving at 10:20 BST.If that was indeed the flight that Iraola was on, then he is already on British soil and edging ever closer to being being confirmed as Liverpool's new manager.Arne Slot was only dismissed on Saturday but it quickly emerged that Iraola was the Reds' preferred candidate to replace the Dutchman.Negotiations have moved quickly, with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes – who knows Iraola from the pair's time together at Bournemouth – leading the talks.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.Iraola will pen a two-year deal at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Iraola spent three years at Bournemouth and narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification this season.That is a remarkable feat considering the club's relatively meager financial power and the host of important players sold during his time there.Following Liverpool's decision to part ways with Slot, it quickly became apparent that Iraola was Liverpool's preferred candidate to take over at Anfield.Slot is said to have been shocked by his dismissal, which was communicated to him just 90 minutes before Liverpool officially confirmed the news at around 12.30 p.m. BST on Saturday.Liverpool fired Slot because the club feels a shift in its style of play is needed to bounce back from a disappointing season.The Reds also feel the Premier League landscape has changed in recent years, requiring a different set of skills to succeed.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCAndoni Iraola