07 May 2026 08:13:58
Morning Gents,
I've been told late last night, that the number 1 candidate to replace alot is indeed Iraola.
The decision has been made from higher up than Hughes and Edwards.
I've also been told both of them are potentially leaving at the end of the season.
Cheers.
07 May 2026 08:34:58
Robbo, the bearer of fantastic news.
07 May 2026 08:37:29
Morning Robbo, thanks. Perfect news for me and the right man for the job. Hopefully we get it done quickly.
07 May 2026 08:37:57
Really brightened my morning that Robbo, I can walk the dogs with a spring in my step, cheers, Robbo.
07 May 2026 08:44:39
Regardless if true or not, we can dream.
We can fantasise.
I'll get through my work day with a smile now, thinking how intense we can be next season with a young, hungry, passionate manager!
07 May 2026 08:45:32
I don't know if he is replacing a lot, but whoever he is, he has a lot to do, that's for sure.
07 May 2026 08:46:36
Can I just ask, please, Robbo:
Apparently Iraola can't settle in Bournemouth and wants to return home to Spain. If this is true, how can he settle in Liverpool if he can't even settle in Bournemouth?
This is why I never believed the rumours about him to any other PL club, it doesn't make any sense to me unless the above is complete waffle.
Any insight, mate?
07 May 2026 08:50:27
If the rumour that Alonso talks broke down due to disagreements with Edwards and then Edwards leaves anyway will be a kicker.
07 May 2026 08:54:37
Hello, Robbo
If Iraola is a strong candidate, are Hoenes and Alonso difficult?
Or are you weighing Iraola, Alonso, Hoenes?
07 May 2026 08:57:47
Thank you. A bad day has just turned perfect.
Let's hope August's optimism returns...
07 May 2026 09:04:51
Woohoo!!!!
Robbo for President!!
Please let this come true. ❤️
07 May 2026 09:05:31
Edwards won't leave with a half assed job mid way, it would be deemed a failure if he did.
I'd say Alonso has more aura than Iraola, and obviously a deeper connection to the club, but perhaps prem experience will tip the scales.
Would his methods translate to a big club? It's going to be a shock back to reality for the players after 2 years of coasting under Slot, whoever comes in.
07 May 2026 09:18:21
Thanks Robbo.
Hope all is well.
Ta.
07 May 2026 09:19:18
Iraola will be just like a gamble to me, no big team experience or connection to the city/fans. If things go wrong, it will go wrong fast, with no turning back, especially this time there won't be Klopp's heritage left anymore.
07 May 2026 09:20:43
Thx Robbo.
Would be happy with any of the 3 we are linked with ... all based on hard work and having a go. For me I can live with that. We will still lose games, have bad periods, but work rate and leaving nothing on the pitch should be a priority... and let's face it a minimum! (Shouldn't really be a criteria but that's where we are)
Any one with any real tactical knowledge or watches Bournemouth enough to know if he just plays the same way, or does he have more to his bow ...
that being said he has done an amazing job there .. hopefully he does not underestimate the job and its pressures ...
Would be surprised to see the suits go .. I want them to .. but more likely they just see out their contracts.
07 May 2026 09:22:39
The day has started well. I believe he'd be a brilliant appointment. Especially if there's competent people appointed to replace the other 2 clowns. Much appreciated, Robbo.
07 May 2026 09:25:50
Would love Iraola, but his family's reported inability to settle in on the English Riviera, still niggles at the back of my mind.
07 May 2026 09:35:14
If Carslberg did brilliant news/rumours on a Thursday.... Thanks so much for the info Robbo. As always, greatly appreciated.
07 May 2026 09:36:32
Ed001, please could we have a manager profile on Iraola?
{Ed001's Note - yes mate, will get on that asap.}
07 May 2026 10:01:46
Thanks Robbo. At least he knows the league and is a massive upgrade on Slot imo. I would still want Alonso, but Iraola would be a good appointment. Would Iraola come if Hughes is about to leave? Only saying this due to the Bournemouth ties. I suppose Hughes left Bournemouth for us. Fingers crossed Slot is gone ASAP.
YNWA.
07 May 2026 10:10:47
Cheers Robbo,
I'd be more than happy with Iraola. Just down to how he would get our wide players working and getting the energy levels up would be a massive improvement to start with.
Add to that what he's done with Bournemouth despite having some of his best players leave before the season started, he's done brilliantly to get the right players in and fit a system that just works for them.
Let's hope you're on the money, Robbo! :-)
07 May 2026 10:14:56
The return of heavy metal football! Can't argue with that. LFC need to throw the kitchen sink, kitchen, house, whatever at this. Nice one, Robbo. ?
07 May 2026 10:18:35
Thanks, Robbo, and hopefully that all comes to fruition.
07 May 2026 10:21:32
Iraola makes perfect sense.
He has openly said he doesn't want to get involved in transfers, which works with what the club's layout is.
Watch this space, I guess!! Hopefully beat Chelsea, guarantee CL football, and wheels can start rolling.
07 May 2026 10:24:01
After losing his GK and 3 of his starting back 4 last summer, he is still able to get them into 6th place. That's phenomenal. Plus we've been told on here he doesn't have a huge say in transfers, so shows he can get the best out of what's purchased for him. We certainly can't say that about Slot.
And as for whether he can deal with big players, who exactly are our big players now? Mo and Robbo are gone. Alli could follow them.
VVD has one year left. The rest are young and new, and not like the clowns at RM. They'll respect him as the manager, or he'll drop them, I'm sure.
Stop looking at the negatives. He'll be given a great squad, top class reinforcements, a first class training complex, the best of everything at a huge club. He's PL proven. He can get 6th on a shoestring, losing his best players every year.
He'd be a great option.
07 May 2026 10:40:25
If it is Iraola, I think that would be an indicator that Edwards is staying, given Iraola doesn't care about transfers. If Edwards is leaving, I would expect it to be Xabi. I'm half expecting it to be Xabi anyway, considering the talk of attempts to plug leaks by any means necessary.
07 May 2026 10:40:59
Endo__3, Klopp had no ties to the club, and look how that turned out. Souness had ties to the club and was crap, every manager appointment will be a gamble of varying degrees.
Of the 3 many on here are hopeful we appoint, Iraola has the most boxes checked with regards to in depth knowledge of the current way the Premier League works, and to get a club the size of Bournemouth to be our potential biggest threat to top 5 at this stage of the season dexpurs losing his best playing in January on top of the churn last summer would give many a feeling of hope that he can integrate players bought for him into the style of play he wants better than the other potential candidates, the downside is he might be more of a 'punching up' manager than a 'heavyweight', his win% is of concern though.
The others are bigger risks for other reasons, namely Alonso perceived 'failure' at Madrid and the concerns that if the current crop of players aren't working with Slot and his team, there is a chance of 'player power' striking again, plus he may want the control over transfers and the club model may not be attractive ve to his management style, and Hoeness, seen as the most inexperienced of the 3 in terms of games played.
07 May 2026 10:45:35
Who would be higher up than Edwards and Hughes that would be making football decisions though?
07 May 2026 10:47:10
Sorry guys, it's not happening, unless it's after Slot has completed his contract.
07 May 2026 10:49:51
Lfc1312/Mcgoveb, All Ok if you completely trust that Hughes and Edwards are capable of building a functional, balanced and efficient squad without a figurehead and leader such as Jurgen and a savant like Ian on side. As things stand that is far from confirmed.
Add to that, neither of them are likely to renew their current contracts then, isn't it better to have someone like Alonso, who is a complete manager?
My personal opinion is that Iraola could be the next Enrique and is undoubtedly one of the top coaches around.
Alonso has the intelligence, understanding, cultural connection and the potential to be around for a decade. Where else would he go?
Iraola is bound to end up at a big club in Spain sooner or later, hence we would likely be a stepping stone.
For those reasons, Alonso is the one for me, and the most likely imo.
07 May 2026 09:57:47
Thx Ed1.
Was going to wait til an announcement is made to put in a cheeky request for the potential new man. in case we end up with someone else.
{Ed001's Note - if it is someone else, I would get on that immediately anyway.}
07 May 2026 10:10:41
Cheers, Robbo.
I have stated my concerns with it being one job too early for Iraola as there's no data on whether he can adapt to being a big club manager that plays every three days, mostly against low and mid blocks.
I fear the sheer size of the job at the club would swallow him up.
Perhaps Mickey and Dickie see him as cheap (out of contract) and compliant enough for their boardroom circle jerk to continue for another year before heading off to their Saudi paradise.
07 May 2026 11:04:05
Player power will not be a problem at LFC under a genuinely good manager and leader of men. Few well run clubs permit the kind of influence Real's players have.
Alonso is a strict disciplinarian who forms genuine bonds with players.
Ongoing negotiations involve posturing and compromise, which is an area where Edwards and Hughes like to flex.
The fact that Chelsea and Man U are likely to end up with whoever we don't, plus the far from ideal structural stability and how the first round of purchases have shown up, means this is a pivotal moment in FSG's tenure, especially as the club has likely reached peak value with all that's happening in the world now.
The pressure is immense and will test even those who believe they are at the top of their game.
07 May 2026 11:16:36
I'm genuinely concerned with this information. Going for a manager that has never won a thing, yes he has players playing for him, but when you have big egos playing for a club like Liverpool, when the going gets tough, how can players really believe in a manager that hasn't won a thing. Such a weird move... screams of Brendan Rodgers.
07 May 2026 11:20:33
Please God, no. Iraola is giving me Thomas Frank, Graham Potter, Brendan Rodgers vibes.
Some managers are very good at taking lower to mid table clubs and getting them to push for European places. There's less pressure because their fans are just happy they stayed up. Iraola has that written all over him.
I think he'll fold under the pressure of having to win every single game and the scrutiny that comes when he doesn't.
Alonso has the experience of playing at top clubs so already has that mentality and will not only expect it but will thrive under that pressure. His record at Leverkusen is nothing short of spectacular.
That being said, if it's Iraola I'll hope I'm proved wrong and he'll have my full support.
07 May 2026 11:25:20
Happy with that.
07 May 2026 11:29:35
Seems like a good fit, but Bournemouth play teams who are attacking, not low blocks. Do we know he can handle that?
He hasn't been in a title race or vying for trophies.
That would be a concern.
If Edwards and Hughes are going in 12 months, would it be wise to give them authority to pick a manager that suits them, only for them to leave?
07 May 2026 11:45:23
I think it's clear what has happened here.
FSG have read my article from a while back on why Iraola is the best choice for the job.
You are welcome, everybody.
07 May 2026 11:59:51
All this talk of his family missing Spain... get a grip. They could have a nice walk down oggy shore, a nice day out at the greaty market, shop at Garstons finest boutiques. Not to mention all those wine bars down Picton Rd... He'll be begging to come here.
07 May 2026 12:01:19
Maybe Bournemouth's excellent recent form, and the low number of losses they've had this season with a team in transition, have convinced the decision makers he can make the step up.
Strong links with Senesi again today, and a few other Bournemouth players could all be tied in to this.
Also, rumours that VVD maybe leaving end of this season, and he's been Arne's main support in the dressing room.
07 May 2026 12:33:10
Andoni Iraola is close to joining Crystal Palace.
@marcosbenito9.
07 May 2026 12:40:28
Iraola or Slot, tough decision ;)
If Spanish Tony can get that Bournemouth team of relative unknowns to 6th, then I'm 100% on board.
07 May 2026 12:47:47
Iraola to Liverpool is a bit like Frank to Spurs... don't you think?
07 May 2026 11:51:54
Firstly great news, thanks Robbo. I'd be happy with any of the 3 suggested front runners for different reasons, but all are an upgrade on Slot in terms of playing style.
Secondly, for Ed001, did you do the comparison profile between Iraola, Hoeness, Alonso and Slot?
Not pushing, just wondered whether I had missed it
{Ed001's Note - not yet mate.}
07 May 2026 12:57:35
Thanks Robbo. Excellent stuff as always to keep this rumour hungry forum awake day and night.
A question for the Eds, Do you really think Iraola is possible especially when confirmed the other day that he was Man united's number 1 option and was pretty nailed on? will be a crazy dogfight to get him to sign and definitely a coup if possible.
And, a big thank you as always to the Eds for keeping this place in check :)
{Ed001's Note - who confirmed it?}
07 May 2026 13:33:56
One of the regular ITKs had mentioned Iraola was less likely due to ManU interest. Can't remember who said that
Who is higher than Edwards and Hughes when it comes to the football side? Or is it messers Gordon, Werner and Henry?
{Ed001's Note - difficult to be sure who is higher than Edwards, with him not actually even being employed by LFC. He is meant to be running a multi-club system. I would assume he must answer directly to FSG.}
07 May 2026 13:37:52
Press saying he is going to Palace. Bit of an odd move, Bournemouth to Palace, but let's see.
07 May 2026 14:01:16
Gordon is not directly involved with LFC anymore. Billy Hogan effectively took his job and is the current CEO of LFC.
From a business decision making point of view at LFC, only Hogan, Werner and Henry are above Edwards.
And from a sporting point of (coaches, players), Edwards is the main decision maker.
And when has FSG ever side-stepped the lead authority to make a decision up/down the food chain? I don't believe they ever have at LFC.
I am sorry, but that is difficult to believe.
07 May 2026 14:17:03
People are actually happy that we might go into one of the biggest summers in our recent history without a sporting director?
07 May 2026 14:19:26
Florian - "Who would be higher up than Edwards and Hughes that would be making football decisions though?"
Billy Hogan, potentially, although I have no idea whether that's correct.
07 May 2026 14:45:43
ArnieJ, you do realise we'd hire somebody else right? I would be absolutely delighted if Edwards/Hughes were let go, they've been completely incompetent this season and hold far too much power. They're as much to blame as Slot in my book. But I don't actually see FSG pulling the trigger on more than one person in the immediate future (not unless people are walking voluntarily); the optics are too negative, and could make the club look unstable.
If they do plan to replace manager and execs, then I would expect them to phase it in.
07 May 2026 13:45:22
Not fussed on Iraola personally. Yes, he's a decent manager who has done a great job at Bournemouth and has an exciting playing style but he's won nothing in the game yet and still has a LOT to prove before being seriously considered for the Liverpool job IMO.
Personally I'm still not all in on moving Slot on, I'd understand and would accept it if it happens but I still think he deserves the chance (at very least) to try and turn things around.
Don't get me wrong, this season has been a disaster and he's played his own part in that at times. However, as much as everyone is sick of saying it and doesn't want to hear it anymore, there have been MASSIVE mitigating circumstances that would test ANY manager.
Pre-Season preparations were destroyed by the Jota tragedy and effectively killed our season before it started. We've had ridiculous bad luck with a number of serious long term injuries, big players form has fallen off a cliff and we got the recruitment transition all wrong leaving ourselves seriously short. All this has happened at the same time to create one massive cluster fuck!
I think it's unfair to lump all this at Slot's door and so many have been so fast to ridicule and write him off. Even the likes of Klopp and Pep have gone through similar bad season's in the past and it hasn't defined them.
Granted, Arne is far from perfect and there are definitely some things he can work on regarding his connection with the fans but at the same time the we all need to accept that he's not Klopp and he shouldn't pretend to be.
A lot of people point to the poor / boring playing style but I don't for a minute feel this is by design or in any way reflective of the way that Slot sees the game and wants to us to play. I feel its more down to.
- The squad imbalance with the lack of adequate pacey wingers.
- The transition from a team built around Salah to Wirtz.
- The integration of new players.
- The rapid fall off from important players (Mo and Macca to name two).
- The Fitness issues stemming from an inadequate preseason.
- The lack of suitable game changers off the bench and subsequent overuse of certain players.
For now, I still think he has a large part of the dressing room onside with Arne and until that changes I'm fine with him staying on.
All that said, I am also conscious of the weight of fan feeling against Slot now and believe that might be counterproductive going into next season. He's effectively needs to really hit the ground running and any minor slip will be jumped all over by everyone!
I wouldn't blink if they decide to move him on and bring in Alonso. I would be excited by that and I think it would re-unite everyone again in one quick hit.
Anyway that's my two pence worth!
Lets just all hope they sort it one way or another and we get back to the real Liverpool next season.
07 May 2026 15:29:42
I know a lot of us are excited about the idea of Edwards or Hughes leaving at the end of the season. Are there any suggestions on their replacements? If both leave and Slot leaves, who is responsible for finding each of those replacements and making player signings?
07 May 2026 15:52:38
Surely he'd know about as much as John W. and Bill Hawkins?
07 May 2026 16:23:48
JevonScholes, If the club is planning to axe the lot of them, it's extremely unlikely it will all happen simultaneously. It will likely be done in phases, unless people are walking voluntarily. Hughes and Slot may walk in a similar time frame, but I would imagine Edwards stays n at least until a replacement is found further down the line. If Slot is being replaced, Edwards will have picked his successor before he leaves himself.
If all 3 were to be axed before such decisions were made, Ward would undoubtedly step into the role in the meantime, at least until suitable replacements were found. But there's no chance the club would actually make such a move. Too dramatic, too many headlines, too much negativity.
07 May 2026 16:27:17
Iraola would bring back high fitness levels, intensity, a high aggressive affective press, organised chaos, running further, faster and longer than the opponent, and he knows the Premier League, that is key for me. He will probably at some point be tempted back to Spain in 2/3 seasons' time, to one of the big two.
Dare I say, if that happened to coincide with Enrique's leaving PSG and coming to us, that would be a pretty good prospect for the next 7/8 seasons, I'd say.
07 May 2026 16:26:07
Jevon, a new sporting director by all accounts. Apparently they are going to come in, throw out all the groundwork Hughes and Edwards have done on potential new signings and just start signing new players. Anyone who thinks the summer is a good time to change sporting director doesn't know a thing about how transfers work.
07 May 2026 17:18:04
That's a fear of mine with Iraola, Eddie, he knows the Premier League. Am I right in saying he's never managed a team in a European campaign in his life? I could be wrong, someone will know.
Would his team be able to keep running further, faster and longer than the opponent over a 60-plus game season? How will he himself cope with the difference in schedule, concerning more matchdays and training?
07 May 2026 17:26:41
Hi all,
What's the fuzz about Iraola? I really haven't seen much of Bournemouth this season, but they have done alright in the table. Can somebody please enlighten me why he is in favour compared to Hoeness, Alonso or Nagelsmann, just to name a few of the names popping around.
Thanks in advance.
Smedegaard.
07 May 2026 21:15:19
Why is he favoured?
I would say there are 3 main reasons and several other reasons:
1) Sustained period of exceeding expectations as a manager in the Premier League.
2) High intensity, ultra-attacking style of play.
3) Able to deal with loss of first team players and lots of changes to squad without drop in form.
07 May 2026 22:02:49
Andoni Iraola is simply not good enough for Liverpool. This is dreadful news. Missing out on Alonso for Iraola is going to set the club back years. FSG have lost the plot if this happens.
07 May 2026 22:05:30
I honestly think you need your head testing if you want Iraola, just cause you want Slot out. What PL team has he managed in Europe for a start? And he's done well with Bournemouth, but is that our level, seriously? Emery is a serial winner in Europe, is doing a great job at Villa, that's the kind of proven manager we need with experience and European trophies! Alonso won the German league over Bayern Munich, definitely worth the risk and has the link to the club, Enrique though is the one we want, the level of manager we should be after.
Cmon, don't lose sight of who we are to throw it all in just to get Slot out... honestly, Iraola, come on. I hope FSG have greater aspirations!
08 May 2026 04:04:54
Enrique would be top of most people's lists but he is not available and has just signed a contract extension. What had Enrique won before Barcelona gave him a job? Nothing.
He didn't magically become "Luis Enrique serial winner". He was given a chance by Roma and Celta Vigo before Barcelona and won nothing.
Barca could have said "Celta Vigo? Is that our level?". But they didn't, they saw past his managerial history and picked someone with the right tactical ideas and the right mindset.
08 May 2026 14:19:53
Ron, that's a tad unfair. Enrique has a strong connection with Barca as club captain and then moved into coaching at Barca. He also had a stint at Roma before Celta. Get your point, but I guess it was more of a calculated risk for Barcelona as they knew him very well.
09 May 2026 00:36:02
Sorry to bang on the drum about eh last but it's been glaringly obvious these last few weeks how much we missed Diaz's creativity, tenacity, etc., combined with the catalogue of injury catastrophes, Salah drop off, blah blah. Ultimately, we need regime change either wholesale or bit by bit.
Inevitably, any change will affect existing players.
We need to be pragmatic and patient, whatever happens, and hope we can go back to building a team/squad. The manager change is not a guaranteed silver bullet, but hopefully, with a change and better recruitment, we can get to where we need to be. YNWA.