Liverpool keen on 'best coach in world' as Andoni Iraola has rival for job
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Liverpool is on the hunt for Arne Slot's replacement, and Andoni Iraola is the leading candidate, but Sebastian Hoeness is also believed to be on the Anfield club's radarAndoni Iraola is the favorite for the Liverpool job(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool is pursuing Andoni Iraola as Arne Slot's successor, but the Reds are also reportedly monitoring Sebastian Hoeness, who has built an impressive reputation in Germany.Slot was unexpectedly fired as manager on Saturday, with the club opting to move in a different direction following a disappointing second campaign. Liverpool ended up fifth in the Premier League, suffering 20 defeats across all competitions.The team's dramatic downturn in form, following its title triumph in Slot's first season, proved alarming and ultimately prompted Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards to take action.
They fired Slot and have identified Iraola as their primary target following the Spaniard's remarkable three years at Bournemouth, which concluded with a sixth-place finish and Europa League qualification.However, other options exist, with Stuttgart boss Hoeness and Lens manager Pierre Sage also reportedly under consideration.Hoeness guided Stuttgart to fourth place in the Bundesliga to secure Champions League qualification, while the German team also reached the DFB-Pokal final, where it fell to Bayern Munich.Hoeness, 44, has been at Stuttgart since 2023 following spells at Hoffenheim and Bayern's reserve side. He is highly respected by his players, with striker Ermedin Demirovic praising his leadership recently.Sebastian Honess is also on Liverpool's radar(Image: Getty Images)When asked by Sky Sports whether Hoeness was the finest German coach in world football, he responded: "I don't see anyone who is better than him or under whom I would prefer to train."We have a great coach and a great coaching team who push the players and want to help them develop individually."Demirovic continued: "We have the fire we need and at the same time the relaxed attitude to play successful football."Hoeness assumed control at Stuttgart when it was rooted to the bottom of the Bundesliga and has orchestrated its remarkable revival.
He has triumphed in 83 of his 152 matches at the helm of the club and is presently preparing to compete in the Champions League next season."We've achieved our big goal and qualified for the Champions League. That's something special," Hoeness, who has two years remaining on his deal, said recently."I'd like to congratulate the team and the whole club: we've had a very consistent Bundesliga campaign.