Liverpool supporters are settling into the reality that Arne Slot is going to take charge of another season at Anfield.
For months now, fans have been hoping to receive news that the Dutchman has been sacked, freeing them from the pain of a quite terrible season.
Sadly for those supporters, Slot looks likely to stay at Liverpool, at least until results turn against him again next term. If and when they do, journalist Fabrizio Romano appears to have now confirmed that Andoni Iraola is eyeing the top job at Anfield.
Is Andoni Iraola the right man to replace Arne Slot this summer? 🤔
Iraola waiting for Premier League ‘movements’
After leaving Bournemouth this summer, Iraola appeared to have a choice of clubs to pick for his next move.
Ever since early on, it has been reported that Iraola would prioritise staying in the Premier League, and with a number of jobs coming up, he looked likely to land a good one.
However, the options have quickly dwindled for the Basque. Chelsea reportedly had him on their shortlist, but have gone for Xabi Alonso, while the same was seemingly true of Manchester United, who have since appointed Michael Carrick on a permanent basis.
Tottenham moved to bring Roberto De Zerbi in before the end of the season, and even Manchester City could have been a possibility for Iraola after Pep Guardiola’s exit, but Enzo Maresca looks like the heir apparent at the Etihad.
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Iraola has been heavily linked with Crystal Palace, but recent reports suggest that he will ignore interest from Selhurst Park, aiming for a bigger club to take over. In Premier League terms, Newcastle are set to stick with Eddie Howe and Unai Emery is going nowhere at Aston Villa. That really only leaves Liverpool.
That’s what makes Romano’s Thursday evening update on Iraola so intriguing. The journalist reports that the former Cherries’ boss is in talks with Bayer Leverkusen after recently rejecting AC Milan, but is still holding out for a Premier League move.
“Andoni Iraola will make a decision on his future soon after several approaches,” Romano posted on X. “Bayer Leverkusen are in direct talks, Crystal Palace proposal still on the table.
“In the recent weeks Iraola has been waiting for movements in Premier League as priority. Bayer, not giving up.”
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Iraola has his eyes on the Liverpool job
It is rare that so many big clubs in the Premier League are changing their managers all at the same time. But what this means is that, barring something unexpected, there will be no top jobs available in the division for a little while.
The one exception to this is at Liverpool, where despite the faith put in him by the owners, Slot’s position looks increasingly insecure.
If Iraola thought there was no chance of moving in at Anfield, having already missed out on Chelsea, United, Spurs and City, why would he not take the Milan job?
The one question mark that remains is whether the former Spain international takes over at Bayer Leverkusen.
If Iraola takes the Bundesliga job, it would suggest that he is not expecting Slot to leave Liverpool any time soon. But if he says no to Leverkusen and continues to hold out for a job in England, it can only be to join the Reds.
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