Former Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola is going to join Liverpool as their new manager, following Arne Slot's dismissal last week. He is set to sign a 2-year deal, which has turned Liverpool fans' heads.
Some head-turning news with the Andoni Iraola to Liverpool appointment. According to reports, the Spaniard is only signing a 2-year deal. However, Liverpool fans should have nothing to worry about. This is a method that Iraola has used throughout his managerial career.
Iraolaâs Timeline
Since starting his managerial career in 2018, Andoni Iraola has signed only 1 and 2-year deals. This started at the Cypriot club, AEK Larnaca. His first taste of management ended poorly when he was sacked after 8 months. This was following a 2-month span of no wins.
On 10th July 2019, Iraola took over Mirandés, where he signed just a 1-year deal. During his time there, he got to the Spanish cup semi-finals, something the club had only achieved once before in its 92-year history. When his 1 year deal had run out, he moved onto the Spanish side Rayo Vallecano. Again, he signed a 1 year deal with the club.
After achieving promotion for his first season, he extended his contract by a further year, keeping him at the club till 2022. He had repeated success, allowing Rayo Vallecano to reach the semi-finals of the Spanish cup for only the 2nd time in its history. This led to yet another 1-year extension, but left at the end of the season, despite having offers from Leeds United in February 2023. He moved on to Bournemouth, where, for the first time in his career, he signed a 2-year contract.
Identified by sporting director Richard Hughes (now at Liverpool), Iraola was deemed a success. Bournemouth tied the Spaniard down to a new deal, keeping him at the club till 2026. He ended his final season at Bournemouth with European qualification. This is an achievement that no previous Bournemouth manager has ever been capable of doing.
Why Short-Term Deals?
Question marks may be rising following the recent news that Iraola will only be signing a 2-year deal. However, it wasnât the clubâs decision.
Andoni Iraola spoke in an interview with Radio Solent in October 2025, discussing why he only signs short-term deals.
âThe only time Iâve signed a 2-year deal was here at Bournemouth. Not that Iâm relaxed, but I donât want to continue at a club just because I have a contract. I want to continue because both sides are happy and want to continue together. With manager cases, I donât think contracts are as important as the playersâ cases.â
Notably, Iraola discusses the importance of how he prefers to focus his football on the short term.
âI try to focus on the short term: do your job and get your results. And then normally everything is fine. In Spain itâs probably different, with Rayo I used to renew a lot of times after a season â but I understand here that time is normally different in England. Just signing a contract to have the assurance that you will receive the money, I wouldnât feel really pleased with this. I think you have to earn the right to receive it every season, even if you donât get the best results, maybe the club is very happy with your work and they want to continue.â
Andoni Iraola goes on to mention that this is more in line with the culture he shares back in Spain.
âYes, [this is] the culture back home, Marcelo (Bielsa), (Ernesto) Valverde, who is the coach at Athletic Club, he does it the same way â itâs not something I specifically do, but there are more coaches with this approach, and I think itâs quite fair.â
Authorâs Verdict
Itâs definitely an interesting approach, which will spark mixed reactions. Elite clubs like Liverpool should be viewed as an end destination, so short-term deals arenât usually the way to go.
However, Iraola has clearly expressed that this is a culture heâs following and has only got pure intentions behind it. Even whilst highlighting how money becomes less of a factor with deals that follow this approach.
Naturally, with Liverpoolâs recent contract drama over the years, most Liverpool fans will feel skeptical. With news that Ibrahima Konate may be joining Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid, you canât help but feel that is a path that may be followed for Iraola, and with no power over his contract length, thereâs not a lot the club can do.
However, as fans, football shouldnât be viewed as âwhat will happen in 2 years?â and there should be more of a focus on the present. Liverpool supporters around the world have been crying out for change, so here it is.
