Andoni Iraola has been tipped to replace Arne Slot at Liverpool, with Emile Heskey suggesting the Spanish coach has the ability to emulate Jurgen Klopp in the dugout.
Liverpool’s struggles this season are well-documented if not well understood. Arne Slot has regularly failed to explain why his team has performed so poorly this season, with fans no longer buying into the Dutchman’s philosophy.
In all competitions, Liverpool have lost 20 games with no guarantee that things will return to the heights of the 2024-25 season, which saw the Reds lift the Premier League title in Slot’s first season.
Now, with Slot’s future shrouded in doubt and pessimism, Bournemouth’s Iraola has emerged as a reportedly realistice option for the Reds if FSG take the bold, and potentially correct, decision to sack Slot.
?? Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth. ? pic.twitter.com/5hpyOoDNKL
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 18, 2026
Emile Heskey hails Iraola as a potential replacement if FSG sack Slot
According to claims from TEAMtalk, Liverpool “are among a growing list of clubs, including three within Germany, that hold a strong admiration for the departing Bournemouth boss.”
Former Liverpool striker Heskey was asked about Iraola being a realistic replacement for Slot, and he seems to believe in the Spaniard.
“Andoni Iraola has shown he has the capabilities,” Heskey said to Liverpool.com. “He’s shown that he’s a very, very intelligent coach. He’s played a back three. He’s played a back four. He knows how to change it up.
“One thing I will say, Bournemouth is not Liverpool, and we’ve seen this so many times. Liverpool is just a little bit different to some other clubs where you’re given plenty of time.
“So for me, yes, Iraola would be a great option because of the style of playing, and at [the] end of the day, we just want entertaining football as Liverpool fans.
“That’s what we got with Jurgen Klopp. That’s what we got in the first season under Arne Slot, but it just kind of tailed off to become a bit more possession-based.
“But we want that entertainment. We want our teams to be gung ho. That’s Iraola.”
Andoni Iraola LOVED @afcbournemouth's 95th-minute winner v Liverpool ? pic.twitter.com/GQIYW5BvRy
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 24, 2026
Iraola set to achieve the same end result as Slot with vastly inferior resources
Despite being handicapped by the resources available at a club like Bournemouth, Iraola has coached the Cherries to a very impressive finish to the Premier League season. His side was tactically and technically excellent in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City, which effectively handed Arsenal the 2026 Premier League title.
The result means that a mathematical possibility exists for Bournemouth to leapfrog Liverpool on the final day of the season to secure a Champions League berth for next season.
? Liverpool might have to play in a PLAYOFF for Champions League football ?
If Bournemouth win 5–0 vs Forest & Liverpool lose 1–0 vs Brentford, they would be level on:
• Points – 59
• Goal Difference – +9
• Goals Scored – 62
• Head-to-Head – 1 win each
• H2H Away Goals –… pic.twitter.com/SUAwkIiyV0— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) May 20, 2026
Of course, it would require Liverpool to lose and a goal difference deficit of six to be overturned. All the same, it would be quite something for Slot and Iraola to finish on the same number of points despite the massive resource discrepancy between Liverpool and Bournemouth.
It’s a major indication of the gulf in coaching between the two managers.
