Several options are already being discussed, including the former Manchester United and Chelsea manager. Express Sport has named six coaches who could replace Iraola at Bournemouth.
From least likely to most likely, we start with Enzo Maresca. If reports from Manchester City are to be believed, The Italian is being courted as a possible replacement for Pep Guardiola. But if for some reason that doesn’t materialize, perhaps he’ll be fantasizing about a chance at the Vitality Stadium instead. Maresca won’t want to be away from work for too long and if Bournemouth qualify for Europe this season, there may be no better option.
Ruben Amorim is almost certainly not on City’s shortlist to replace Guardiola, but he could be exploring a path back to managerial roles. It’s a bit removed from the pressures of being a United manager (a term the former Sporting manager referred to during his spell at Old Trafford) and could be the perfect place for him to rebuild his reputation.
How about a good old-fashioned managerial change? Eddie Howe is considered something of a club legend on the south coast, having led Bournemouth to not one but two Premier League appearances. But after a very mediocre season, it feels like his time at Newcastle is coming to an end. The good news? Newcastle are rumored to be interested in signing Iraola.
A more realistic option would be Thomas Frank. Although his spell as Tottenham manager was forgettable, the Dane still has some credibility from his time at Brentford. In some cases, a manager may be better suited to getting more out of a club that is perceived as a ‘smaller’ club, and Bournemouth feels like an environment in which Frank could thrive.
Every time a manager is appointed in the Premier League, Edin Terzic’s name is thrown into the ring. Terzic left the Bundesliga after leading Borussia Dortmund to the 2024 Champions League final and has not returned to football since. The German is respected as a shrewd tactician and could finally find his way back to managing Bournemouth.
And then there’s Kieran McKenna, the current front-runner. McKenna, who is currently involved in a promotion battle with Ipswich Town, looks set to manage in some capacity in the Premier League next season. But whether it’s Ipswich or Bournemouth (or even elsewhere), a decision will be made in the coming weeks and months. Chelsea were reportedly interested in McKenna when they last promoted Ipswich, and it looks like the Northern Irishman will have another suitor this summer.
