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Favourites to become new Bournemouth manager with Andoni Iraola to leave at the end of season

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Favourites to become new Bournemouth manager with Andoni Iraola to leave at the end of season

We take a look at the favourites to become new Bournemouth manager with Andoni Iraola to leave at the end of the 2025/26 season.

The 43 year old Spaniard, who joined the Cherries back in 2023, and has since guided the club to 12th and 9th in his first full two seasons in the Premier League, is heavily linked with a move to former side Athletic Club.

Bournemouth currently find themselves sitting 11th in the table, three points behind sixth-placed Chelsea with six matches remaining.

But his contract expires this summer and sources have told media outlets such as BBC Sport that talks over a new deal were unsuccessful.

CLUB STATEMENT:

AFC Bournemouth can confirm that Head Coach, Andoni Iraola, will leave the club at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, bringing an end to his successful three-year tenure on the south coast.

Since his appointment, the club has continued to compete in the Premier League, most notably delivering a record points total of 56 in 2024/25 and consequently achieving their joint-highest finish of ninth place.

Iraola has played a pivotal role in establishing the club’s identity in the Premier League, earning widespread recognition for his progressive style of play and commitment to developing both emerging and established talent.

Fitness Coach, Pablo de la Torre, will also leave the club following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Following the decision, Chairman Bill Foley spoke on the impact Iraola has had and the success that has been achieved together over the last three years:

“Andoni has been instrumental in shaping the direction of this football club over the past three seasons. He brought intensity, innovation, and a clear philosophy that elevated AFC Bournemouth both on and off the pitch. We are incredibly thankful for his leadership and will always have great memories of our time working together, as well as the things we accomplished.”

Tiago Pinto, the club’s Head of Football Operations, echoed the sentiments:

“Andoni is someone I have a lot of admiration for, both as a head coach and as a person. His attention to detail, tactical intelligence and ability to bring the best out of players is something we have seen every day. We’ve continued to watch the development of individuals under his coaching both here at AFC Bournemouth and now in some of Europe’s top leagues too. We of course respect his decision and thank him for everything he has done for this football club over the last three years.”

Following the decision, Iraola also commented, placing on record his thanks to the club and memories of the past three seasons:

“It has been an honour to manage AFC Bournemouth and I am proud of what we have achieved together. I’m thankful to the players and staff that I’ve worked with, as well as Bill, who have all made my time here so special. As for the fans, you have continued to show your fantastic support to myself and the team, and for that I will always be grateful. I feel this is the right moment for me to step away, but I will always carry fantastic memories of this club.”

The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Andoni for his outstanding contribution and wishes him and his family the very best for the future.

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW BOURNEMOUTH MANAGER:

BetVictor – Tue 14 April
Kieran McKenna – 4/1
Edin Terzic – 6/1
Ange Postecoglou – 6/1
Mauricio Pochettino – 6/1
Thomas Frank – 8/1
Pepijn Lijnders – 10/1
Sean Dyche – 12/1
Jorge Sampaoli – 12/1
Kjetil Knutsen – 12/1
Marco Silva – 16/1
Oliver Glasner – 16/1

The Athletic report that Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna is highly in their thinking, while another candidate under consideration include Oliver Glasner.

Alex Crook meanwhile reports that the former Dortmund boss Marco Rose is a leading contender to replace the outgoing Iraola.

Mark Douglas said: “Understand Andoni Iraola hasn’t decided next move after decision to leave #afcb. No job lined up, just felt three years was appropriate ‘end of the cycle’ at Bournemouth – who battled to keep him. Announcing now advertises to the market he’s available. Lots of jobs potentially there for him. Frank Lampard and Inigo Perez among names in frame.”

Nizaar Kinsella (BBC Sport reporter): “Bournemouth moved heaven and earth to convince Andoni Iraola to stay on as manager but were ultimately unable to reach an agreement.

“For 15 months, senior figures at the club held discussions with Iraola about what it would take for him to remain in the role.

“It was not about money, nor was there any frustration with the club’s sporting direction on the south coast.

“The feeling was that Iraola wanted to delay his decision for as long as possible, as he had done at previous clubs. He was also known to be placing significant weight on his family’s wishes, with growing links to the vacant post at Athletic Club in his native Basque Country.

“Iraola, for those unfamiliar with his playing career, is regarded as one of the top 10 greatest players in Athletic Club’s history. The Bilbao-based club are well financed, despite operating a long-standing policy of only selecting local players.

“It is a blow for the Cherries, but there are no hard feelings towards Iraola, given the close personal relationships that exist at all levels of the club.

“Furthermore, Bournemouth have had ample time to plan for his succession knowing his contract was running out and this was the possible outcome of the painstaking time taken to make his final call.”

Here’s how fans reacted amid the favourites to become new Bournemouth manager with Andoni Iraola ‘to leave’ at the end of the season…

@HilaryWood3: Absolutely gutted. Thank you Andoni for everything & good luck wherever the future takes you 🍒. Up the Cherries #afcb

@Evi1Geniu5: As a neutral looking in Andoni Iraola has done a great job at #AFCB and will leave them in a better position than he inherited. The players he has recruited and those he lost but never seemed to let it get to him

@KirkTovey: Gutted but expected if we are honest with ourselves. Iraola will live long in our legacy not either just all the new PL records but how he has helped us grow in a new direction which we have to maintain with whoever replaces him. #afcb

@blackberrychris: Well the final day of the season will be a sad one. Andoni has done so much for AFCB and turned us into a team that can dream of European football. Gutted he is leaving, but glad the early announcement means he’ll get the send off he deserves. #afcb

@GuyN72: Most of us sensed it was coming. But that doesn’t make it any easier to accept. Lets hope Pinto has another ace up his sleeve. Thanks Andoni. You will be missed. I feel blessed to have witnessed some of your football. #afcb

@afcb_r0b:
Seats moved
Stadium refurb delayed
Senesi not renewing
Iraola leaving
What’s next at #afcb?

@Liam_AFCB: Pablo de la Torre leaving hurts just as much as. My Spanish shithouse ❤️ #afcb

@its_mr_0: Marco Rose will do. Thanks and ta #afcb

@spjuuli_: Expected news tbh, hope the board do their job and bring a manager who continue the job started by Andoni #afcb

@Nate_AFCB: You know what, while I’m gutted by this news, I’m not that worried. Yes, we’re losing Iraola. But the ones appointing his successor are the same ones who appointed Iraola in the first place. Just got to have a little faith. #afcb

@mollythompson7: They say it comes in 3s, kicked out our seats, season ticket prices increase and now Iraola leaving at the end of the season. 🥴 well that was fucking dreaful #afcb



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