Andoni Iraola, the current head coach of Bournemouth, has confirmed that he will leave the club at the conclusion of this season. The announcement came as Sky Sports News reported that former Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund manager Marco Rose has been placed on a three‑person shortlist to take over the role once Iraola steps down.
Iraola’s contract is set to expire in roughly three months, and despite a flurry of approaches from other clubs, he has repeatedly turned down offers to extend his stay. Interest has come from his former side Athletic Club in the Basque Country as well as from several Premier League rivals, but the Spaniard has chosen to see his tenure through to its natural end.
With only six fixtures remaining, the Bournemouth boss will finish a historic three‑year spell on the south coast that has seen the club achieve unprecedented success. "This is the right moment for me to step away," he said in a statement posted on the club’s official website. His final home appearance will be against Manchester City on Sunday, 17 May, followed by an away match at Nottingham Forest on the last day of the Premier League calendar.
The club has said it made a concerted effort to convince Iraola to remain, and although the decision is disappointing for the Cherries hierarchy, there is a mutual respect that underpins the parting of ways. Initial talks about a new contract began more than fifteen months ago, but Iraola preferred to postpone any serious negotiations until later in the campaign, when the pressure of the season would be less intense. Bournemouth currently sit in 11th place and still have a realistic chance of securing a historic first European qualification. They are just two points shy of seventh‑place, a position that would guarantee a spot in next season’s UEFA Conference League.
A strong finish could therefore see Iraola leave on a high note, having guided the club to its best top‑flight finish for a second consecutive year. Since his appointment in June 2023, Iraola has become a popular figure among the Cherries faithful. He replaced Gary O'Neil and introduced an attacking, progressive style of play that has been praised for its dynamism and entertainment value. In his first season, Bournemouth finished ninth, amassing a club‑record 56 points – a feat that eclipsed the previous best top‑flight return and set a new benchmark for future squads.
This season, however, has not been without challenges. The club has seen a number of key players depart for substantial fees, including Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi, Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo, generating a total of £253 million in transfer income. Despite these departures, Iraola has managed to keep the team competitive and maintain a clear tactical identity. Looking ahead, Iraola is widely regarded as one of the Premier League's most promising coaching prospects.
Speculation about his next destination is already swirling. Athletic Club have expressed a strong desire to bring him back to the Basque region, especially as they prepare for the exit of long‑time manager Ernesto Valverde at the season’s end. Iraola’s ties to Athletic are deep – he spent twelve years in Bilbao, made over 500 appearances for the club, and captained the Marcelo Bielsa‑led side that famously eliminated Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United from the Europa League in 2011‑12. In Germany, former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic is also being linked with the Athletic vacancy, although any decision is expected to be delayed until after the club’s presidential elections in May.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace once considered Iraola a prime candidate to replace departing manager Oliver Glasner, but recent reports suggest they have moved on to alternative options. Tottenham Hotspur were also rumored to be interested, but the club ultimately appointed Roberto De Zerbi on a five‑year deal.
Manchester United have yet to announce a permanent successor to their interim coach Michael Carrick, and while they have not engaged directly with Iraola, the Spaniard remains on their radar as a potential future appointment. In the north east, speculation surrounding Newcastle United’s manager Eddie Howe has caused bookmakers to shorten odds on Iraola becoming the next boss at St James’ Park. Howe himself has reiterated his commitment to Newcastle, describing any long‑term speculation as "very difficult" to contemplate.
The search for a new Bournemouth manager has been underway behind the scenes for some time. According to Sky Sports News, three candidates have emerged as favourites, with Marco Rose leading the pack.
Rose’s experience in both the Austrian Bundesliga and the German Bundesliga could make him an attractive choice for a club looking to build on recent progress while maintaining a forward‑thinking football philosophy. Bournemouth’s season will conclude with a series of high‑profile fixtures: a home clash against Manchester City on 17 May, followed by away games at Nottingham Forest, and a final run of matches that will determine whether the Cherries can clinch that coveted European spot.
Fans will be hoping that the team can finish strongly, providing a fitting farewell for Iraola and setting the stage for the next chapter under a new manager. In summary, Andoni Iraola’s departure marks the end of a transformative era for Bournemouth.
His tenure has been characterised by an attractive style of play, record‑breaking points totals, and an ability to navigate significant player turnover while keeping the club competitive. As the club looks ahead, the shortlist that includes Marco Rose and two other unnamed candidates will shape the future direction of the Cherries. Whether the new appointment can sustain the momentum and possibly achieve that historic European qualification remains to be seen, but the foundations laid by Iraola provide a solid platform for continued ambition.