Andoni Iraola shared why he prefers to sign only two-year deals before his move to Liverpool.
Some football managers like to take their time building a team, even though their jobs don’t always last long. This approach can work well, but it requires a lot of trust and patience. Andoni Iraola, however, thinks differently. The Basque coach, who is reportedly close to becoming Liverpool’s new boss, prefers to bring his clear ideas to life more quickly. It’s a tough challenge, but it helps managers like Iraola avoid constantly asking for more time in a sport that can be very impatient.
News of Iraola’s appointment has been all over the place. Formal talks have happened, and a verbal agreement was reached on Tuesday. His assistants, Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, are expected to join him at Anfield, along with fitness coach Pablo de la Torre and analyst Tom Webber. The 43-year-old is said to have agreed to a two-year contract with Liverpool, which is a bit shorter than usual for a new top-level manager.
Iraola has already shared how he feels about contracts. In a 2025 interview with BBC Radio Solent, he said, “Just signing a contract to be sure you get paid doesn’t make me happy. I think you have to earn your place every season. Sometimes results aren’t great, but if the club is happy with your work, they want to keep you, and sometimes it’s the other way around. So, having a contract for three years doesn’t mean much if one side isn’t happy. Every year should feel like a fresh start with trust from both sides, and that’s usually how it goes.”
Liverpool’s interest in Iraola started before their time with Arne Slot and before Iraola’s time managing AFC Bournemouth. Under Iraola, the Cherries achieved their best league finishes ever. Bournemouth have spent nine seasons in England’s top league, and Iraola led them to their joint-best ninth place in the 2024-25 Premier League season. After finishing sixth in 2025-26, just three points behind Liverpool, Bournemouth will play in Europe for the first time next season.
While former Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose will take Bournemouth into the Europa League, Iraola, who just missed out on a Champions League spot with Bournemouth due to other results on the last day, will lead Liverpool into Europe’s top club competition.