Andoni Iraola's one demand was granted during Liverpool contract talks

Soon-to-be Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola made one interesting demand during his contract negotiations with the club.

Following the surprise sacking of Arne Slot, the former Bournemouth boss quickly became the frontrunner to succeed the Dutchman at Anfield, having guided the Cherries to a record-high sixth-place finish in 2025/26 and, in doing so, secured Europa League qualification. He also coached Bournemouth to 12th and ninth place in 2023/24 and 2024/25 respectively.

While Liverpool have not officially announced Iraola as their new boss, it has been widely reported that a verbal agreement between the manager and the Merseyside club has been reached, with assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper expected to join him at Anfield.

Iraola is also keen for several other members of his backroom staff to make the switch, including fitness coach Pablo de la Torre and analyst Tom Webber.

The Spaniard boasts a good relationship with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, having previously worked with him at Bournemouth, but this did not stop Iraola from making a rather unusual demand during contract negotiations.

Iraola sees unusual Liverpool request accepted

The 43-year-old reportedly requested a two-year deal as he continues his preference for short-term contracts, with the request accepted by Liverpool. He also employed a similar stance at previous clubs AEK Larnaca, Mirandés, Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth.

Speaking about the reasons behind this during an interview with BBC Radio Solent in 2025, Iraola explained: “I think just signing a contract, just to have the assurance that if they sign you, you will receive the money, I don't feel – I wouldn't feel – really pleased with this. I think you have to earn the right every season.

“Sometimes, even if you don't get the best results, maybe the club is very happy with your work and they want to continue, and it happens the opposite way as well. So I think, in a manager's case, it doesn't matter if you have another three years. If one of the parties is not happy, normally it breaks from one side or the other.

“So every year has to be like a renewal of confidence from both sides and, normally, it's like this.”

Iraola guided Bournemouth to 41 wins, 48 draws and 35 defeats in his 114 Premier League games in charge of the side, with his attacking playing style attracting praise from fans and pundits, including Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who revealed he thinks the Spaniard could be the right man for the job.

Speaking on TNT Sports on Saturday (May 30), Gerrard said: “I think potentially, yes [he’s the right man for the job]. I think he's done a fabulous job at Bournemouth. I think his style would suit Liverpool.

"But let's not beat around the bush. Liverpool Football Club is an attractive job for a lot of elite managers around the world.”