Andoni Iraola, the former manager of Rayo Vallecano, is reportedly set to leave his position at Bournemouth at the end of the current season. The Basque manager has emerged as a prominent candidate to fill the anticipated managerial vacancy at his former club, Athletic Club, following Ernesto Valverde’s announced departure. Iraola has previously expressed his admiration for Valverde, considering him a significant influence, and was initially strongly linked with a return to Athletic Club’s San Mames stadium. However, recent discussions suggest that the club’s president, Jon Uriarte, may favor former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic, who is currently considered the frontrunner for the role.
As reported by The Athletic, Iraola has made the decision to depart Bournemouth upon the conclusion of his contract. Bournemouth has since confirmed this development. Iraola typically enters into one-year rolling contracts and has opted to seek new career opportunities, despite Bournemouth’s efforts to retain him. The Cherries have been linked with Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna as a potential successor, following Iraola’s successful tenure, which saw them achieve 12th and 9th-place finishes in the league. Currently, Bournemouth sits 11th in the standings, three points shy of a European qualification spot and comfortably clear of the relegation zone by fifteen points.
Iraola has previously attracted attention from other Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, and was even rumored to be a candidate for a potential role at Real Madrid this summer, though that speculation has since subsided. This week, Iraola confirmed that he has indeed engaged in discussions with Athletic Club since Valverde’s announcement.
Furthermore, reports from Indykaila suggest that Newcastle United has also approached Iraola, considering him as a potential replacement for their current manager, Eddie Howe. With successful spells at Mirandes, Rayo Vallecano, and Bournemouth, the 43-year-old manager appears to have a range of attractive opportunities to choose from.
