Manchester United, Tottenham and Crystal Palace have been linked with Andoni Iraola in recent weeks, but the Bournemouth manager is yet to sign a new contract.
Andoni Iraola gives an update on his contract (Image: Sky Sports)
Andoni Iraola has said he is close to making a decision on whether to remain at Bournemouth beyond the end of the season. Iraola has made a huge impact at the Cherries and is a target for other Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, as his current contract nears expiry.
The Spanish manager only has a contract with Bournemouth until the end of the 2025/26 season and is keeping his cards close to his heart when it comes to his future. He has been linked with moves to Tottenham, Crystal Palace and United in recent weeks, and his reluctance to move to Bournemouth could be a sign of his feelings.
“We are definitely getting closer (to a decision). It will be decided sooner or later, but there is no news,” Iraola said at a press conference on Friday. “If I have something to say, I’ll say it.”
Pressed further, Iraola added: “One thing is clear: the club and I are both very open. We talk a lot and we talk very sincerely. But of course we can’t say here or outside what we say internally. I think that’s the way we should approach it.”
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“I have a great relationship with (technical director) Simon (Francis) and (head of football operations) Tiago (Pinto). There are no problems between us. We have discussed things, but it is an internal conversation.”
Iraora has overseen impressive progress at Bournemouth since replacing Gary O’Neill in June 2023. In his first year in charge, Bournemouth finished 12th with 48 points, and last season they topped the table with 56 points, finishing ninth.
The Cherries currently sit in 9th place with 40 points with nine games remaining and are unbeaten in their last eight games. Their success came despite player sales, with defenders Dean Huysen, Milos Kerkes and Ilia Zabarny, and forwards Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara all sold.
Andoni Iraola is in action for Bournemouth (Image: Getty Images)
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United are set to appoint a long-term replacement for Ruben Amorim this summer. Caretaker manager Michael Carrick has insisted on the role, but chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are considering other options, including Iraola.
Crystal Palace still need a new manager this summer, with manager Oliver Glasner confirming in January that he would be stepping down at the end of the season. Rumors of Iraola have also surfaced following Tottenham’s sacking of manager Thomas Frank and their dismal performance under new manager Igor Tudor, who is contracted until the end of the season.
Bournemouth are still hoping to persuade the 43-year-old, who joined after three years at Rayo Vallecano, to sign a new contract. However, they are no doubt concerned about the increased interest in his services as the season draws to a close.
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