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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Andoni Iraola wants Bournemouth quartet at Liverpool as agreement is 'struck'

Andoni Iraola is eyeing a quadruple raid on Bournemouth as he edges closer to becoming the next Liverpool head coach.

The Spaniard has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Liverpool to sign a two-year contract to succeed Arne Slot in the Anfield dugout.

Slot was sacked by the Reds at the weekend, paying the ultimate price for a disappointing second season in charge with the side finishing in fifth place, 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Iraola leaves Bournemouth following a superb 2025-26 campaign.

Despite losing Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in the January transfer window, Iraola still guided Bournemouth to their best ever season in the Premier League, finishing sixth and qualifying to European football for the first time in their history.

With a switch to Merseyside on the cards, it would appear that Iraola wants to keep the majority of his backroom staff in place, making the transition period smoother.

As per the Athletic, Iraola wants Pablo de la Torre, Tommy Elphick, Shaun Cooper and Tom Webber - all members of his coaching staff at the Vitality Stadium - to follow him to Anfield.

In an early boost for Iraola, Elphick is said to be a lifelong Liverpool fan, and recently turned down the opportunity to become Bristol City manager.

Furthermore, the report states that if all goes to plan, Liverpool will appoint and present Iraola before the end of the week.

Tommy Elphick has been Andoni Iraola’s assistant at Bournemouth (Getty)
Tommy Elphick has been Andoni Iraola’s assistant at Bournemouth (Getty)

Slot, meanwhile, has said the connection he shares with Liverpool and its fans “goes beyond football” after leaving the club.

In an open letter, he wrote: "The connection we share goes beyond football, beyond European nights under the Anfield lights or the sound of You’ll Never Walk Alone being sung from The Kop.

“You made me feel welcome from the start and helped me on the path. That is something I cherish.”

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