Bournemouth have failed in their bid to retain highly-rated head coach Andoni Iraola, who will be in demand across Europe this summer.
Andoni Iraola leaves Bournemouth at the end of the season (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United will face the difficult task of luring Andoni Iraola to become their next long-term manager this summer, despite him poised to leave Bournemouth at the end of the season.
There has been much speculation over Iraola’s future in recent months, with his current contract set to expire in June. His success at Bournemouth has made him a target for clubs higher up the food chain, including United, who will appoint a manager in the summer.
The Spaniard has also been linked with Crystal Palace, who will lose Oliver Glasner this summer, and Athletic Club, who need to find a replacement for Ernesto Valverde, who recently announced he will leave the club at the end of the season.
Currently, negotiations to extend Iraola’s stay at Bournemouth have failed, and it has been announced that he will leave the club at the end of the 2025/26 season. “It has been an honor to manage AFC Bournemouth and I am proud of what we have achieved together,” Iraola said in a statement.
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“I would like to thank the players, staff and (chairman) Bill (Foley) for making my time here so special. As for the fans, they have continued to show me and the team great support and for that I will always be grateful. I feel this is the right moment for me to step down, but I will always have great memories of this club.”
After guiding the Cherries to ninth and 12th places in his first two seasons, he guided them to 11th place and a 12-game unbeaten run after Saturday’s impressive 2-1 win over Arsenal. However, despite his strong reputation in the Premier League, Iraola seems determined to return to Spain. BBC Sport reports that the 43-year-old is keen to return to his home country with his family and a move to Athletic Club is the most likely option.
Iraola played for the team for 12 years as a player and has strong links with the Basque club, where he made over 400 appearances. He is considered a legend at Athletic Club, who sit 11th in La Liga, and it is highly unlikely that United will feature him.
Michael Carrick will remain interim manager at United until the end of the season, but no decision has yet been made on a long-term replacement for Ruben Amorim, who was sacked in January. Director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berada were slow to make the decision, satisfied that United sit third in the Premier League and are on track to qualify for the Champions League.
Andoni Iraola is in demand (Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Bournemouth chairman Foley said: “Andoni has been instrumental in shaping the direction of this football club over the past three seasons. “He brought an intensity, innovation and clear philosophy that improved AFC Bournemouth both on and off the pitch. We are extremely grateful for his leadership and our time working together and what we achieved will always be great memories.”
Bournemouth are thought to have been trying to reach an agreement on a new contract for the past 15 months, but the Spaniard is now gearing up for a new period in his career. Bournemouth have six games remaining this season, starting with Saturday’s game against Newcastle.
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