Report: Liverpool have target date in mind for finalising Andoni Iraola appointment

Liverpool have reportedly set a target date for finalising the proposed appointment of Andoni Iraola as their next head coach.

The 43-year-old is understood to be the preferred candidate to succeed Arne Slot in the role after his recent departure from Bournemouth , and Sky sources reported on Sunday that negotiations with the Spaniard are ‘ongoing and advanced’.

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The former Cherries boss was also wanted by Crystal Palace as they seek a replacement for Oliver Glasner, but with Selhurst Park chiefs accepting that Iraola seems destined for Anfield, they’ve now turned their attention to potentially hiring Lens coach Pierre Sage .

According to the Liverpool Echo , the Merseyside club are ‘expected to begin formal talks’ with Iraola’s camp this week and are keen to have the proposed appointment finalised before the World Cup commences on 11 June.

‘Sources close to’ the 43-year-old have ‘remained tight-lipped’ on the situation, declining to comment publicly at this stage, although the Anfield hierarchy are eager to have a successor to Slot in place sooner rather than later.

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We’d like to think that Liverpool wouldn’t have jettisoned the Dutchman without being privately confident of having Iraola officially in place within a few days.