Rumors have been circulating about the potential interest of Manchester United and Tottenham in Andoni Iraola. However, the experienced manager himself has dismissed these speculations and assured fans of his current club, Bournemouth, that he is content and fulfilled with his role at the Vitality Stadium.
At the age of 43, Iraola took over as manager of the Cherries in June 2023 and has quickly established himself as one of the top-rated and sought-after managers in the Premier League. In the previous season, he led Bournemouth to their highest-ever finish of ninth place in the top flight, setting a record points total for the club in the process.
But this season has proved to be more challenging for Iraola, as he lost three key defenders - Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, and Milos Kerkez - during the summer transfer window. On top of that, the departure of star forward Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City for a whopping £62.5 million in January added to the difficulties he faced.
Despite facing these setbacks and the reported interest from top clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham, Iraola remains committed to his current club and believes staying with them is a "good option". Speaking to Marca, the Spaniard, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, said, "I'm very happy at Bournemouth, I've always said that. For managers, the contract isn't that important. I believe that trust should be renewed every year. If you're happy with me and I'm happy with you, why not continue for another year? I wouldn't want to stay somewhere simply because I have a signed contract. Once we achieve our goal, we'll meet and see how to approach the next season and whether or not to stay. That's what I'm thinking about, but continuing here is a good option."
Iraola's impressive track record has also caught the attention of his former club, Athletic Bilbao, where he is being considered as a potential long-term successor to current head coach Ernesto Valverde. As a player, Iraola had a deep connection with the club's fans and is the sixth-highest appearance maker in its history.
When asked about the possibility of returning to Bilbao as a manager in the future, Iraola replied, "It's a question I've been asked many times at the different clubs I've been at, and I always say the same thing. At Athletic Bilbao, they probably have the manager I admire the most in Ernesto Valverde. I hope he stays for many years. That's what I feel as a fan. Then again, everyone has to make decisions as opportunities arise. When I started in Cyprus, I didn't know I was going to go to Miranda, then to Vallecas and then to Bournemouth. It's the same now; I don't know what the future holds."
Currently, Bournemouth is struggling at 15th place in the Premier League, but Iraola remains determined to turn things around for the team. He is among the three Basque managers currently working in the league, alongside Mikel Arteta of Arsenal and Unai Emery of Aston Villa. When asked about the success of Basque managers in the Premier League, Iraola believes it is due to their high level of experience in La Liga and their ability to adapt to the English game.
"In general, the level of La Liga managers is very high. Then it's a matter of adapting to the Premier League, the language... We all come from different backgrounds. Arteta, for example, practically spent his entire career in England. In any case, the Premier League is a very global league, and there are fewer and fewer English managers. The competition is brutal, but I'm excited when I face Mikel or other people I know," he shared.
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