Andoni Iraola one step closer to becoming Liverpool boss

Iraola left the club’s Kirkby base in the middle of the afternoon to head to Anfield and confirmation of him signing a two-year contract is imminent.

Andoni Iraola is set to be unveiled as Liverpool’s new head coach after flying into Merseyside to complete the final details on a deal to succeed Arne Slot.

The 43-year-old arrived at Liverpool John Lennon Airport on a private jet from San Sebastian in his Basque homeland on Thursday morning and shortly afterwards was driven to the club’s AXA training complex in a silver people carrier.

Iraola left the club’s Kirkby base in the middle of the afternoon to head to Anfield and confirmation of him signing a two-year contract is imminent.

Credit: Peter Byrne/PA — Credit: Peter Byrne / PA

The former Bournemouth boss was quickly identified as the club’s primary target and negotiations were able to be conducted swiftly as Iraola is out of contract having guided the Cherries to sixth place and a maiden European campaign.

Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes led the talks, which were straightforward as Hughes already has a relationship having appointed him for the south coast club three years ago.

It is understood Iraola wants to bring assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, analyst Tom Webber and fitness coach Pablo de la Torre with him to Merseyside.

Former Liverpool players Thiago Alcantara and the recently-retired James Milner have been linked with coaching roles but the make-up of the backroom staff will remain a decision for Iraola.

The pursuit of Iraola is in line with the club’s desire to move back towards a more aggressive, front-foot, urgent style of football which they lost during Slot’s second season and which ultimately cost him his job.