Andoni Iraola was in high demand after announcing he would leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, with Chelsea making their interest clear after they sacked Liam Rosenior.
Andoni Iraola attracts attention (Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea have made their first move in the race to sign Andoni Iraola, having contacted the Bournemouth manager’s agent. Earlier this month, Iraola announced that he would step down as Cherries manager at the end of this season, attracting attention from many clubs.
The Spaniard has built an impressive reputation for his time at Bournemouth, who are seventh in the Premier League and in contention to win European football with four games remaining. He is yet to announce his next move, but Chelsea, Athletic Bilbao, Manchester United and Crystal Palace are all interested in him.
Chelsea sacked manager Liam Rossenia last week and are expected to appoint a new manager this summer, along with Athletic Club, United and Palace. Callum MacFarlane will continue as caretaker manager until the end of the season, but football.london reports that the Brucos bosses have already taken steps towards finding Rosenior’s long-term successor.
The club are believed to have made informal contact with Iraola’s agent to assess his interest. The Blues have the 43-year-old on their shortlist of options, but the recruitment process is yet to progress.
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Iraola has already publicly responded to the link. Asked if he would be open to talking to Chelsea, he said: “No, I think I said that when I announced I wouldn’t continue here. For me right now it’s about Bournemouth. We have four games to go. We’re in an incredible position and we have an incredible fight ahead of us.”
“Last week you asked me about other clubs. I don’t know which ones exactly, but out of respect for Bournemouth I can’t talk about my future right now because that’s not what Bournemouth supporters are worried about.”
Chelsea have reportedly started making moves earlier than United, who are yet to make contact with any candidates. Club executives, including chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, are in no hurry to decide on Ruben Amorim’s replacement, with Michael Carrick, who has eight wins and two draws in 12 games, the favorite to take over as interim manager.
Andoni Iraola is still undecided about his future (Image: (Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images))
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Iraola is also on United’s radar, although local reports suggest Edin Terzic will replace Ernesto Valverde, although the vacant spot at his boyhood club Athletic Club could still be a distinct possibility. Iraola could move elsewhere in his native Spain if the former Borussia Dortmund manager wins the job.
Previous reports said the player, who enjoyed three successful seasons at Bournemouth – despite losing a number of key players – finished 12th and ninth this season, and is hoping to return to the country with his family.
The Cherries are unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League games after drawing 2-2 with Leeds at the weekend. They have qualified for the Conference League and will play Palace on Sunday before finishing the season with games against Fulham, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
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