Another massive exit? Andoni Iraola agreement is a major hint

Another massive exit at Liverpool could be right around the corner. An agreement made with Andoni Iraola is a hint in that direction.

It now looks all-but certain that Andoni Iraola takes over as Liverpool head coach. In fact, it would be a dramatic turnaround at this stage if he didn't take over at Anfield.

Article continues under the video

But it's an interesting one. Richard Hughes had always backed Arne Slot heavily but decided right at the end of the season to call time on his spell in charge.

On top of that, his chosen replacement is one he hired previously for Bournemouth. And there's another notable factor here.

Per the Athletic among others, Iraola will only sign a two-year contract. This is a short-term plan that could end very quickly - the contract would mean it's over in the same span as Slot's.

That's a little eyebrow-raising. Especially with reports that Hughes himself may not be around much longer - suggestions are there that he'll take over Al-Hilal after the summer.

The Iraola contract lends some credibility to that. Liverpool aren't locking themselves in with Hughes's plan and could instead very easily move onto something new (again) under a different sporting director.

Iraola wouldn't be locked down with an expensive deal, nor will Liverpool entrench themselves around the coach if they know he could be off relatively soon. It's the ideal scenario for a club who could change sporting director shortly.

We're not saying that Liverpool will definitely move on quickly. And Iraola is almost certainly the one who proposed the two-year deal.

But Liverpool's willingness to accept that - and to pursue a coach with a short-term outlook - does lend itself to more major change coming soon.

Richard Hughes: Situation Summary

Anfield Sacking and Executive Review

As of 3 June 2026, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has taken centre stage during a seismic week at Anfield. Following a highly turbulent season that culminated in a disappointing fifth-place Premier League finish, Hughes, alongside FSG’s CEO of Football Michael Edwards, led a comprehensive performance review that resulted in the sacking of manager Arne Slot on 30 May. Backed fully by Fenway Sports Group despite a costly £450 million summer squad outlay, the 46-year-old Scottish executive has been tasked with completely reshaping the club's footballing hierarchy.

Managerial Hunt and Iraola Pursuit

Hughes has moved swiftly to secure Slot’s successor, driving negotiations for his top target, Andoni Iraola. The sporting director has a strong professional relationship with the Basque tactician, having originally appointed him at Bournemouth in 2023. Liverpool have already reached a verbal agreement in principle on a two-year contract with Iraola, marking a major executive victory for Hughes as he aims to restore the team's signature high-intensity style before the World Cup begins.