Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is under even more pressure than usual to keep his Red Devils job, after a crushing 3-0 defeat to local rivals Manchester City on Sunday afternoon - and that should see a current Premier League boss come in as his replacement if he does leave.
The Red Devils finally got their domestic campaign underway before the international break after beating Burnley with a last-minute penalty at Old Trafford, but they have since returned to losing ways. Four points from four top-flight games sees United in 14th, just one point above the drop zone. Games against Chelsea and Liverpool are coming up to propel them further down the table - and Amorim will be looking sheepishly over his shoulder.
Report: Andoni Iraola Has Been Linked with Bournemouth Exit Previously
Andoni Iraola
It does mean that United may well be looking at managerial alternatives. It wasn't even a year ago that they had sacked Erik ten Hag after a poor start to the top-flight campaign, and so many of their candidates from last year's search in November will still be on their radar, including Zinedine Zidane.
And with that in mind, a move for Bournemouth gaffer Andoni Iraola could be just the move for the Red Devils to complete, as they aim to bolster their performances.
Iraola, dubbed the 'best young coach in the world' has been linked with various roles in recent months after impressing on the south coast, namely Tottenham Hotspur's vacancy before they opted to appoint Thomas Frank - but with United struggling, Iraola has proven that he can turn bottom-half sides into European contenders and he could be just the tonic, given that the Cherries are currently fourth in the league table.
Iraola was complimentary of his Iberian counterpart in pre-season as United beat Bournemouth 4-1 on their pre-season tour of the USA, but the two have gone extremely different ways since then, with Bournemouth occupying a Champions League spot and United facing the daunting prospect of a potential relegation battle. He could be an ideal man in the frame to replace Amorim if results continue to suffer for the former Sporting gaffer.
Iraola Would be Ideal Man Utd Replacement for Amorim
Andoni Iraola
The former Rayo Vallecano gaffer came to the helm just over two years ago at the Vitality Stadium, in what was a surprise replacement for Gary O'Neil, who had kept them in the top-flight against all the odds.
Although Iraola took a while to get going after nine games without a win to start the 2023/24 campaign, his philosophy and tactics eventually paid off from there, with just 10 losses throughout the rest of the campaign, firing the Cherries to as high as 10th in the league at one point.
Last season further proved his worth, with the south coast side ranking as high as fifth place towards mid-February, and although they suffered some poor form in March, a Europa League finish was still on the agenda.
It's not just Iraola's playing style that works; major signings such as Justin Kluivert, Milos Kerkez, Alex Scott, Dean Huijsen and Evanilson have thoroughly improved their ranks, and they are all incredible signs that United will be impressed by in their potential new search for a manager.
Sign up to The GIVEMESPORT Reportto get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox.