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Liverpool are preparing to initiate formal negotiations with Andoni Iraola this week as they intensify efforts to appoint the Spanish coach as the successor to the recently dismissed Arne Slot.

VfB Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and Lens’ Pierre Sage are also being considered by the Anfield hierarchy, but Iraola has emerged as the leading candidate to take over following Slot’s departure on Saturday.

Iraola, who parted ways with Bournemouth at the end of the season, is currently available, giving Liverpool an advantage as they look to finalise a swift appointment. The 43-year-old guided Bournemouth to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League — the club’s highest-ever position.

He was previously recruited to Bournemouth by Liverpool’s current director of football, Richard Hughes, in 2023 after impressing during a successful three-year tenure at Rayo Vallecano in Spain.

However, Liverpool are expected to face competition from AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen, both of whom have expressed interest in Iraola. Crystal Palace are also making a strong push to appoint him as a replacement for outgoing manager Oliver Glasner.

During his time at Bournemouth, Iraola worked closely with Liverpool’s left-back Milos Kerkez, playing a key role in the Hungarian international’s development and subsequent move to Anfield.

Following an end-of-season review that led to Slot’s dismissal, Liverpool’s leadership concluded that the team required a more urgent and aggressive style of football — an approach that aligns well with Iraola’s high-intensity tactics and pressing philosophy.

Meanwhile, several members of Slot’s coaching team are expected to leave alongside him. Performance coach Ruben Peeters has already confirmed his departure, while Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Sipke Hulshoff are also anticipated to exit Anfield.

Slot, aged 47, was relieved of his duties despite winning the Premier League in his debut campaign. His dismissal followed a disappointing season in which Liverpool finished fifth, collecting only 60 points and suffering 19 defeats across all competitions.