Andoni Iraola has vowed to prove himself worthy of leading Liverpool after being officially confirmed as the club’s new head coach.
The Spaniard arrived on Merseyside on Thursday to complete the formalities of his appointment, spending the day touring the AXA Training Centre and Anfield with sporting director Richard Hughes before signing a contract that runs until June 2028.
Liverpool had reached a verbal agreement with Iraola on Tuesday after identifying him as their preferred candidate ahead of Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and Lens boss Pierre Sage.
Although the deal was agreed earlier in the week, it was not formally signed until Thursday. The appointment was driven by Hughes, who brought Iraola to Bournemouth in 2023.
Liverpool had also tracked the 43-year-old for several years and view him as the ideal coach to implement a more aggressive, front-foot style of football.
Andoni Iraola arrives after guiding Bournemouth to Europa League qualification and attracting interest from several clubs across Europe. Liverpool moved quickly following the dismissal of Arne Slot and are confident he has the qualities required to succeed at Anfield.
The former Athletic Club defender is eager to begin work and will be joined by fitness coach Pablo de la Torre. Liverpool are also in talks to bring Tommy Elphick and set-piece specialist Shaun Cooper to the club as part of Iraola’s backroom staff.
“I think you don’t need a lot of things to get attracted by Liverpool,” he enthused. “Liverpool is Liverpool. But the atmosphere, the supporters, the club, the players. The chance for me to coach top-level players, the chance to fight for titles.
“I think it cannot be more attractive than this. It’s difficult to find it [anywhere else]. So I am really excited to start. It’s a big club, a massive club – one of the biggest in the world. The feeling [I have] inside, and knowing a little bit more about it, I always thought it was special.
“Not [just] the football, but what people think about it during the week. How passionate they are about the club, even the ones who are probably not as interested in football. I have some experience with Atheltic Club, that I could familiarise in some ways! It’s going to be fun to experience.”
“I want to become one more of you.” ✊ pic.twitter.com/EN38rKmKRz
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 4, 2026
Read more: Andoni Iraola arrives on Merseyside ahead of being confirmed as new Liverpool head coach
