Tusport - News - Ornstein: Liverpool agree verbal deal with Iraola; FSG eye first signing

David Ornstein has confirmed that Liverpool FC have reached a verbal agreement with Andoni Iraola to become the club’s next head coach, with the former AFC Bournemouth boss keen to bring four trusted staff members with him. The agreement, first signposted by Fabrizio Romano, is expected to advance quickly, with Liverpool planning to appoint and present Iraola before the end of the week if all goes to plan. According to Ornstein’s report in The Athletic, Iraola wants to be accompanied by Pablo de la Torre, Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper and Tom Webber as part of his new backroom team at Anfield. While the finer points of the contract have been discussed privately, the arrangement remains subject to final documentation and formal announcement from the club. The move follows Liverpool’s decision to part ways with Arne Slot on Saturday, prompting Fenway Sports Group (FSG) to accelerate their managerial search. Iraola’s reputation has risen sharply over the past year. After a remarkable job at Bournemouth, his high-energy, aggressive pressing and vertical attacking patterns drew attention from top European clubs, including AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and Crystal Palace. Once Liverpool declared their interest, however, the Merseyside project quickly became the most likely destination. Beyond the dugout, Liverpool’s summer planning is already gathering pace. With the club determined to refresh a squad that struggled to defend its Premier League title, FSG have opened conversations on priority targets. The Reds have been consistently linked with midfielders including Yan Diomande and Adam Wharton. Meanwhile, Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that Liverpool are already negotiating to make Eintracht Frankfurt’s Jean-Matteo Bahoya the first signing of the Iraola era. Those talks remain at an early stage and will depend on budget, squad needs and the manager’s approval once his appointment is sealed. In football terms, Iraola’s arrival would signal a commitment to a proactive, front-foot style that aligns with Liverpool’s identity at Anfield. His track record of improving player output, calibrating pressing triggers and extracting intensity from compact squads makes him a compelling fit for a team aiming to reassert itself domestically and in Europe. Key areas expected to be addressed include defensive depth, ball-winning in midfield and transitional threat in attack. While Liverpool have yet to issue an official statement, the club’s swift progress suggests clarity and conviction from FSG. Should the verbal understanding convert to a signed contract on schedule, Liverpool will enter the summer window with a defined tactical blueprint and a head coach prepared to shape the next phase of the project.