The Club Hits Reset
The 43-year-old Spaniard has signed a deal for an undisclosed length, leaving Bournemouth at the end of the recently completed season after a three-year spell that boosted his reputation.
The south-coast team finished sixth in the Premier League, going unbeaten in its last 18 games, and qualified for Europe for the first time in its history.
The Timing Says Plenty
"I'm joining a special club," Iraola said. "The atmosphere, the supporters, the players, the chance to coach at top level and fight for titles — it cannot be more attractive."
He has never won a major trophy, nor balanced the demands of elite domestic and European competitions. That much is clear.
The Next Hire Matters
Iraola takes over a team in transition. The departures of Salah and Andy Robertson leave Dijk and Alisson Becker as the only remaining senior members of the side that Klopp led to Champions League glory in 2019 and the Premier League trophy the following year.
He is the latest coach from Spain's Basque region to take over a top English club, following Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, Unai Emery at Aston Villa and most recently Xabi Alonso at Chelsea.