Liverpool plans to begin formal negotiations with Andoni Iraola within days. The club is hunting for a new manager after parting ways with Arne Slot on Saturday.
Slot's departure came just a year after he steered the Reds to the Premier League title. Liverpool wants to move quickly on appointing his replacement.
Iraola, who recently left Bournemouth, has emerged as the frontrunner for the job. The Spanish coach, 43, impressed many with his work at the south coast club.
Under his leadership, Bournemouth finished sixth in the Premier League this season. It marked their highest-ever league finish and secured Europa League qualification.
Iraola announced his departure from Bournemouth in April. Since then, Crystal Palace, AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen have all expressed interest.
Liverpool have looked at other candidates, including Sebastian Hoeness of Stuttgart and Pierre Sage of Lens. But Iraola appears to be their top choice.
Fenway Sports Group CEO Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes led the decision to sack Slot. They want a manager who'll adopt a more aggressive, attacking approach.
Hughes knows Iraola well from their time together at Bournemouth. He brought Iraola to the club while serving as technical director before joining Liverpool in 2024.
That existing relationship could smooth negotiations considerably. The Merseyside club is keen to complete the process before pre-season training begins.
