Andoni Iraola is still weighing up his next move after confirming he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season.
The Spaniard announced his decision to leave the Cherries when his contract expires in the summer earlier in the week, sparking questions over his next move.
Iraola has already been linked with several managerial positions, including that of Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid, while he has also been named as a contender for the role at Manchester United.
However, the 43-year-old has revealed that nothing has been agreed yet over his next role, while speaking during Friday’s press conference ahead of Bournemouth’s meeting with Newcastle United on Saturday.
“The decision was not about any other club, there was no other club involved – it was about either continuing here or not continuing here”, Iraola stated.
“I don’t know what I want to do next season, I don’t know if I am going to coach a team, a club. I don’t know if I am going to coach an international team, I don’t know if I am going to coach in this continent and I have no idea what is going to happen.”
Iraola joined Bournemouth back in 2023 and guided the club to their 12th place with 48 points, their season’s best, in his first season in charge.
He followed that up by setting a new record for the most points in a league season at the club with 56 in the 2024-25 season as they narrowly missed out on a place in Europe.
So far this season, Bournemouth have accumulated 45 points and are chasing qualification for European football.
“I don’t know if you are going to believe me, but it is the truth. And also I don’t have any rush to want to know it”, Iraola continued.
“I have taken a big decision for me, now I want to focus on what we have in this moment. These next six games are massive for us.
“There is going to be time to think [later] if we are going to have to think on something else.”
Bournemouth will head to Newcastle United on Saturday, hoping to extend their 12-game unbeaten run in the league and continue their push for European qualification.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
