Where The Pressure Lands
Liverpool have opened talks with Iraola, the Spanish coach who led Bournemouth to its highest ever Premier League finish before walking away this season.
Iraola has no experience coaching one of Europe's elite clubs. He was previously in charge of Rayo Vallecano in Spain and also coached in Cyprus before joining Bournemouth in 2023.
The title of the job changes quickly; the explanation usually takes a little longer to catch up.
The Detail That Tilts It
Under Iraola, Bournemouth became one of the most entertaining teams in the Premier League, regularly upsetting high-profile opponents despite limited spending power. The club qualified for European competition for the first time in its history.
Not everything clicked, of course. Players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak all underwhelmed in their debut seasons at the club.
What The Result Leaves
The hire would mark a significant step up for Iraola, from a club that just exceeded expectations to one that sets them. His reputation has grown substantially over two seasons on the south coast.