Liverpool are preparing for a major summer overhaul following the dismissal of manager Arne Slot, with Andoni Iraola lined up as his replacement amid an exodus of coaching staff and internal board disagreements.
The Merseyside club have reportedly reached an agreement to hand the Basque coach a two-year contract.
However, the impending appointment has sparked intense debate within the Anfield hierarchy.
Sporting director Richard Hughes and owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have reportedly disagreed over the suitability of the former Athletic Club defender.
Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness claims the board may be rushing the decision simply because their target is currently available.
“They decided late in the season on the Slot issue that they were going to have to make a move; they’re now finding themselves picking Iraola because he’s available,” Wyness told Football Insider.
“Is that really the right way to have gone and picked a manager? It could have been a bit of undue haste that they may wish to repent on later on.”
Backroom staff exodus continues
The anticipated arrival of the Spanish tactician coincides with a mass departure of existing coaching personnel.
Assistant coaches Sipke Hulshoff and Giovanni van Bronckhorst are expected to follow Slot out of the club.
This follows the confirmed departure of performance coach Ruben Peeters, who announced his exit after a highly successful two-year stint.
“After two unforgettable seasons at Liverpool FC, it is time to say goodbye,” Peeters wrote.
“Winning the Premier League together will always be a special memory and the ultimate highlight of this incredible journey.”
Iraola prepares his own coaching team
To fill the impending void, the incoming manager plans to bring his own trusted lieutenants to L4.
Tommy Elphick, who recently rejected the managerial vacancy at Bristol City, is heavily tipped to join the new setup.
Pablo de la Torre, Shaun Cooper and Tom Webber are also anticipated to form part of the new-look coaching staff.
Defensive reshuffle on the horizon
The turbulence at the Premier League club extends beyond the dugout and into the playing squad.
French international centre-back Ibrahima Konate is reportedly nearing a high-profile transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
His potential departure will force the Reds to be aggressive in the upcoming transfer window as they urgently seek defensive reinforcements.
Former Georgian striker Jaba Dvali, who scored the first hat-trick in Uefa Europa League history, has died at the age of 41 following a reported heart attack.
The 41-year-old carved his name into European football folklore during the inaugural season of the revamped continental competition.
Numerous former clubs have paid tribute to the veteran forward following the tragic news of his sudden passing.
European record-breaker
Dvali secured his place in the history books while playing for FC Zestafoni in July 2009.
The prolific attacker netted three times in the opening period of a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Northern Irish side Lisburn Distillery.
Reflecting on his landmark achievement at the time, the player expressed his delight at the team’s commanding performance.
“We really wanted to win and also to score more than in the first encounter, and we succeeded.”
That historic match contributed to an 11-1 aggregate triumph, establishing a benchmark for the largest winning margin in the tournament.
Tributes from former clubs
Dinamo Tbilisi, one of Georgia’s most prominent domestic teams, released a statement honouring their former star.
“Dinamo Tbilisi expresses its deep sorrow over the death of our former player, Jaba Dvali. We extend our condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Tottenham Hotspur supporters may recall facing the Georgian international when he featured against the London club in 2013.
FC Zestafoni also honoured a player who contributed significantly during one of their most prosperous eras, sharing a highlight video with a simple message to rest in peace.
A distinguished domestic career
Despite earning just a single cap for his national side, the well-travelled forward is a member of the Georgian league’s exclusive 100-goal club.
He experienced a brief stint in Azerbaijani football with Qarabag in 2014 before eventually finishing his playing days in 2022.
Following his retirement, the former professional transitioned into a director general role at Zestafoni while simultaneously lending his expertise to their youth coaching setup.
Former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva will delay deciding on his next club until after this summer’s World Cup in North America.
The 31-year-old recently called time on a glittering decade at the Etihad Stadium after opting against signing a new contract.
Initially expected to announce his next destination imminently, the Portuguese playmaker has now chosen to focus entirely on international duty.
His agent Jorge Mendes confirmed the sudden change of plan to reporters, stating: “Bernardo will decide after World Cup.”
An emotional Etihad exit
The versatile attacker enjoyed an emotional send-off on the final day of the Premier League season.
Admitting he struggled to sleep before the fixture against Aston Villa, the former Monaco man revealed the extent of his emotions behind the scenes.
“I wasn’t really in very good condition to play, I started crying a lot in the dressing room, which for a game isn’t very good,” he admitted.
Despite the bittersweet nature of the day, the match ultimately served as a heartfelt celebration of an era-defining squad under Pep Guardiola.
What we were part of was something truly special and this will forever be my family, my second home and I’m just really grateful that I was a part of it.
Bernardo Silva
Weighing up future options
Barcelona retain a long-term interest in acquiring the free agent, while a romantic return to his boyhood club Benfica has also been touted.
However, those European suitors must now wait as the five-time Premier League winner turns his attention to securing a first-ever global triumph for his nation.
Earning 107 caps for his country, the veteran is eager to improve upon a frustrating record that has seen him fail to progress past a major tournament quarter-final.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed the club will unveil a major summer signing this Thursday ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
The 79-year-old incumbent is running for re-election this Sunday and has strategically timed the announcement to bolster his campaign.
Having presided over the Santiago Bernabeu outfit since 2009, the Spanish businessman is eager to rebuild following a difficult domestic and European season.
“This Thursday I’ll announce my first big signing for next season,” Perez told El Espanyol.
“Everyone knows my sporting project: having the best players, and carrying on winning.”
Mourinho poised for managerial return
Speculation is mounting that Jose Mourinho is waiting in the wings to be unveiled as the new permanent head coach.
The Portuguese tactician is expected to leave his current role at Benfica to replace interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa’s short-term tenure concluded without silverware after Los Blancos lost the La Liga title to Barcelona and suffered a Champions League quarter-final exit against Bayern Munich.
A return for the former Chelsea manager would mark his second stint in the Spanish capital.
His previous reign ended bitterly in 2013 following a trophyless season which he famously described as the worst of his career.
Defensive reinforcements on the horizon
Alongside a new manager, the Spanish giants are reportedly closing in on crucial defensive additions.
Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate is understood to be available as a free agent after contract negotiations collapsed at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan full-back Denzel Dumfries is also heavily linked with a switch to Spain.
Madrid are believed to have triggered a cut-price €20m release clause in the Dutch international’s contract.
Bernardo Silva will wait until the conclusion of the World Cup before deciding his next club following his Manchester City departure.
The Manchester City captain is leaving the Etihad Stadium this summer upon the expiration of his current contract.
He departs having made 460 appearances and scored 76 goals during a highly successful nine-year spell in England.
The 31-year-old originally joined from Monaco in 2017 and quickly established himself as a vital component of Pep Guardiola’s system.
Spanish giants circle for signature
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both hold a keen interest in securing the midfielder on a free transfer.
It was initially expected that the Portuguese international would resolve his future before heading to North America for the World Cup.
However, agent Jorge Mendes has confirmed the final decision will now be delayed until after the tournament.
Bittersweet final domestic campaign
The versatile playmaker remained an ever-present figure during a fiercely contested Premier League season.
Guardiola’s side were ultimately pipped to the league title by Arsenal this term.
Despite that disappointment, the departing skipper successfully lifted both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup after playing every minute of each final.
Focus shifts to North America
The former Monaco man will now shift his complete attention to Roberto Martinez’s Portugal squad.
They face a diverse challenge in Group K against DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.
The European nation will play their opening two fixtures in Houston, Texas.
Their group stage campaign then concludes with a clash against Colombia in Miami, Florida.
Liverpool have stepped up their search for a new central defender by targeting Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez ahead of the impending arrival of prospective manager Andoni Iraola.
The Merseyside club are finalising plans for the summer transfer window as they advance in negotiations to appoint the Spanish coach.
Iraola is poised to replace Arne Slot, who was dismissed following an end-of-season review after guiding the side to a fifth-place finish and Champions League qualification.
Defensive reinforcements become paramount
Securing a reliable centre-back has emerged as an urgent necessity following confirmation that Ibrahima Konate will soon depart Anfield.
Options at the heart of the defence are currently severely depleted, particularly after highly-rated prospect Giovanni Leoni suffered a serious injury last term.
Consequently, the Premier League side have placed Ordonez firmly back on their recruitment radar to bolster a fragile backline.
The standout centre-half has caught the attention of almost every major English top-flight club following a string of impressive performances in Belgium.
Brugge set lucrative valuation
Club Brugge are reportedly willing to sanction a summer departure for their prized defensive asset.
The central defender has been widely described as phenomenal by evaluating scouts ahead of the upcoming window.
However, the Belgian outfit have slapped a £40m price tag on the player, testing the financial resolve of the Anfield hierarchy.
Addressing the defensive structure is not the only pressing issue awaiting the incoming management team.
Club executives are also formulating contingency plans to replace attacking talisman Mohamed Salah during what promises to be a highly transformative summer.
Arsenal have submitted a £52m bid for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as the Premier League champions look to secure his signature ahead of the World Cup.
The north London club have identified the 18-year-old as a priority summer transfer target.
However, the French side have reportedly rejected the initial offer and are demanding a fee of at least £60m to sanction a departure.
World Cup stage awaits
The highly-rated teenager is set to feature for Morocco at the upcoming international tournament.
Lille are understood to be willing to delay a final decision on his future until after the competition, anticipating that strong performances could further inflate his value.
Several other English top-flight sides are also monitoring the elite talent, meaning the Gunners may face a fierce bidding war if they hesitate.
Focusing on future prospects
Having secured the Premier League title during the 2025-26 campaign, Arsenal are currently operating from a position of immense strength in the market.
This domestic success allows the club to focus their resources on investing in elite global prospects rather than requiring immediate first-team overhauls.
Alongside their pursuit of the Moroccan international, discussions are also reportedly ongoing to sign Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga.
Securing the Foxes youngster for an estimated £10m would further underline a strategic shift towards recruiting promising youth before their market values explode.
Switzerland international Breel Embolo is stranded in Bern awaiting an urgent US visa after a last-minute travel complication delayed his departure for a pre-World Cup training camp.
The Stade Rennais striker was forced to miss the national squad’s scheduled flight to California on Tuesday.
His electronic travel authorisation was unexpectedly placed under further review just hours before the team boarded their flight to Los Angeles.
Legal dispute causes travel chaos
The abrupt complication stems from a legal case regarding an altercation in Basel dating back to 2018.
The experienced frontman was convicted in 2023 for making multiple threats, resulting in a suspended fine that became legally binding earlier this year.
Following the disruption, the 27-year-old attended an emergency appointment at the US Embassy on Wednesday to submit a formal visa application.
Federation awaits priority processing
The Swiss football federation confirmed that all original travel documents had been approved before American authorities requested additional background checks.
US officials specifically inquired whether physical violence was involved in the historical incident, which the federation strongly denied.
“The Embassy informed us that the application is being processed as a priority.”
“Breel and the team are now awaiting approval so that he can travel to San Diego and join the squad as soon as possible.”
Strict vetting procedures enforced
The US Department of Homeland Security noted that all travel applications are continuously vetted against international law enforcement databases.
A spokesperson confirmed that failing to disclose criminal history constitutes misrepresentation and can lead to the sudden revocation of travel privileges.
A Swiss team representative highlighted that their key attacker had previously travelled to the United States without issue for international fixtures.
The national team are currently finalising preparations for their opening Group B match against Qatar in San Francisco on 13 June.