Andoni Iraola confirms he held discussions with other clubs before accepting the Liverpool managerial role. He replaced Arne Slot as head coach after the previous season concluded. Iraola, who stepped down as Bournemouth manager after three years, described the process as “quite fast.” Liverpool contacted him within the first or second week after the season ended, and he quickly agreed to the offer.

Iraola was Liverpool's primary choice following the decision to sack Slot in late May, after a disappointing season saw the club finish fifth in the Premier League and suffer a record 20 losses across all competitions. Liverpool's pre-season schedule includes a US tour, featuring friendlies against Sunderland in Nashville, Wrexham in New York, and Leeds United in Chicago.