Andoni Iraola has revealed he was in discussions with multiple clubs before Liverpool swooped to appoint him as head coach — a move he said “happened quite fast”.
The 44-year-old, who stepped down as Bournemouth manager after three years, replaced Arne Slot at Anfield following a disappointing season that saw Liverpool finish fifth in the Premier League and lose a club-record 20 games across all competitions.
“Andoni Iraola admits he held talks with other clubs before joining Liverpool; Reds approach Monaco for Maghnes Akliouche.”
“It was true that I was talking with some clubs,” Iraola said. “I think it was the first or second week after the season ended. Liverpool contacted me, and it didn't take a lot [to say yes].”
Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States begins with a friendly against Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday, followed by matches against Wrexham in New York and Leeds United in Chicago. Iraola, who wants to deliver an attacking brand of football, said he aims to give fans “a team to be proud of”.
The former Spain international drew parallels between his hometown club Athletic Club — which operates a Basque-only policy — and Liverpool. “This sense of belonging, of being a little bit different. This connection also, with players from the academy. The atmosphere of Anfield,” he said. “This is one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
Meanwhile, the club have made an initial approach for Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche, according to the Liverpool ECHO. Liverpool contacted Monaco earlier in the transfer window to gauge the 24-year-old's availability, with wide options becoming a focus after Mohamed Salah's farewell.
Akliouche scored seven goals and provided 11 assists for the Ligue 1 side last season, and has reportedly been the subject of three rejected bids from Paris Saint-Germain. Former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino, now a teammate at Monaco, offered a glowing reference.
“When I arrived at the club, I noticed him straight away, he was the best young player in the team,” Minamino told Monaco's website in December 2024. “He has huge potential.”
Whether Akliouche will join Liverpool and link up with summer recruit Victor Munoz remains uncertain, but Iraola's arrival signals a new era of attacking ambition at Anfield.