Andoni Iraola 'opens door to Liverpool' as talks with two clubs break down
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Andoni Iraola has been linked with several high-profile managerial roles since his Bournemouth departure was confirmed, and he would be keen on managing Liverpool if Arne Slot leftAndoni Iraola is reportedly holding out for the Liverpool job after announcing he'll be leaving Bournemouth at the end of his contract just a few weeks after guiding the Cherries to the Europa League.The 43-year-old has been linked with several high-profile jobs since his departure from the Vitality Stadium was announced, but the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea have looked elsewhere. While Liverpool are not planning to part company with Arne Slot, Sky Sports claims the former Bournemouth boss has two jobs in mind.Iraola has reportedly held talks with Italian side AC Milan, though reports claim talks have broken down with the Serie A outfit.It's claimed Iraola has reservations about taking charge at the San Siro and talks will go no further.
The outgoing Bournemouth boss is also of interest to Crystal Palace, with Oliver Glasner departing Selhurst Park at the end of the season.The Eagles will also play Europa League football next season, after defeating Rayo Vallecano to win the Europa Conference League.Iraola is also said to be open to a move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, but former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis is the front runner for the job in Germany.Sky Sports claims Iraola has been open with the likes of AC Milan and Palace about wanting to take charge at a big club, and he's open to a move to Liverpool.However, the Reds hierarchy are set to stick by Slot, despite a disappointing campaign. Liverpool won the Premier League title in his first year in charge of the club, but endured a disappointing 2025/26 season.It's becoming increasingly uncertain as to where Iraola will end up, with Bournemouth already agreeing a deal to bring in Marco Rose as his replacement.Crystal Palace are also admirers of Pierre Sage, Frank Lampard and Kieran McKenna, but have not progressed talks with any of the trio.As for Slot, he's made it clear that things have to improve next season.
Speaking after securing Champions League football on the final day of the season he said: "Not what I would have loved us to achieve this season before we started but taking everything into account, what has happened to us this season, I’m happy that we’ve qualified for the Champions League."We, I, haven’t been perfect, but I would have answered this question exactly the same in the year we won the league because as a manager you can never be perfect, a player can never be perfect."But all the decisions I’ve made throughout the whole season has been only with one idea, and that’s being very well prepared."Not every decision can be the right one so it would be stupid for me to sit here and say all the decisions I’ve made were the right ones. But a lot of times I didn’t even have to make decisions or choices."