Steven Gerrard Backs Andoni Iraola as Leading Candidate to Replace Arne Slot at Liverpool
Latest update: Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard says Andoni Iraola would be a ‘good fit’ to replace Arne Slot after Slot’s dismissal, as the club considers a defensive rebuild and targets long-term clarity.
What happened and why it matters?
Liverpool face a pivotal summer after parting ways with manager Arne Slot, and club legend Steven Gerrard has publicly backed Andoni Iraola as a strong candidate to take over. Gerrard told TNT Sports that he thinks Iraola “potentially” fits Liverpool, pointing to the Spanish coach’s work at AFC Bournemouth and existing links between Bournemouth figures and Liverpool’s board. The development matters because Liverpool need managerial clarity while also preparing a defence rebuild following several senior departures.
Why Gerrard thinks Iraola could fit
Gerrard’s assessment, delivered on TNT Sports, highlights Iraola’s Premier League experience and the stylistic compatibility he believes the Spaniard would bring to Anfield. According to the source, Gerrard suggested the connection is reinforced by people who have moved from Bournemouth into Liverpool’s structure at board level and would therefore know Iraola’s methods well.
Other suitors, Liverpool’s challenge and what the club needs
The report says Iraola has drawn interest from Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga as well as Liverpool. Florian Plettenberg is cited as reporting that Iraola has not definitively rejected the German offer and could be weighing his options. The World Soccer Talk piece also notes that Liverpool may need to present a persuasive long-term sporting project to attract him—something the club reportedly failed to give Arne Slot.
Liverpool’s task is complicated by outgoing senior players. The source lists Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté as departures ahead of the 2026–27 season, creating a pressing need to strengthen the back line. Virgil van Dijk remains at the club, while Giovanni Leoni, Joe Gomez and Jérémy Jacquet are cited as the other senior options in central defence; however, the piece suggests only Gomez brings extensive experience, and he has not been a regular starter and may be set to leave, increasing the urgency for a high-quality centre-back addition.
Transfer target: Nico Schlotterbeck discussed
World Soccer Talk relays reporting from Florian Plettenberg that Germany international Nico Schlotterbeck is among the players linked as a potential defensive recruit, reportedly carrying a €50–60m release clause that Liverpool could trigger in summer 2026. The article frames Schlotterbeck as a candidate who could add leadership and help develop young defenders such as Jacquet and Leoni if Liverpool pursue a big-name centre-back.
Key points
- Steven Gerrard told TNT Sports he thinks Andoni Iraola could be a suitable replacement for Arne Slot at Liverpool (source: World Soccer Talk).
- Iraola is described as leaving AFC Bournemouth as a free agent and is reportedly of interest to Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen (source: World Soccer Talk; report cites Florian Plettenberg).
- Liverpool face a defensive rebuild after departures including Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté; Virgil van Dijk, Giovanni Leoni, Joe Gomez and Jérémy Jacquet remain as centre-back options (source: World Soccer Talk).
- Nico Schlotterbeck is named as a potential target with a reported €50–60m release clause (source: World Soccer Talk citing Florian Plettenberg).
Context: squad and sporting project implications
The source positions the managerial vacancy and recruitment needs as linked: appointing a head coach who wants a long-term project will influence transfer strategy and which players Liverpool pursue. The article suggests Richard Hughes—who backed Iraola at Bournemouth and has ties to Liverpool’s recruitment setup—could be important in persuading Iraola to commit, giving the Spaniard internal support if he chooses Anfield over Leverkusen.
The reporting also implies that Liverpool’s defensive plan would prioritise a world-class centre-back to partner Virgil van Dijk in Champions League competition, both to add immediate quality and to mentor younger defenders already in the squad.
What happens next
According to the report, Iraola has not given a definitive response to Leverkusen and remains a target of interest for Liverpool. The next concrete steps to watch for are any official approach or offer from Liverpool, confirmation of Iraola’s departure from Bournemouth (if not already formalised), and whether the club moves to activate reported defensive targets such as Schlotterbeck’s release clause. These developments would determine whether Gerrard’s preferred candidate actually takes charge and how quickly Liverpool can rebuild their defence.