Andoni Iraola is on his way out of Bournemouth this summer and has been linked with the Manchester United job
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season and has been linked with the Man United manager's job
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Manchester United could be given a huge boost if they decide to make a move for Andoni Iraola as the club's new permanent manager. The Cherries boss announced he'll leave the club at the end of his contract this summer and there's plenty of speculation about his future.
Some reports claimed Iraola would return to Athletic Bilbao, the club he spent the majority of his playing career at following the announcement that Ernesto Valverde would leave this summer. However, Marca claims Iraola has decided to continue his managerial career in the Premier League.
The report adds that Bilbao are set to pursue former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic as their new head coach, following Iraola's decision. The German coach guided the Bundesliga club to the final of the Champions League in 2024 and has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League.
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Michael Carrick has been at the helm at United since Ruben Amorim's departure earlier this year and has the Reds in firm contention for a return to the Champions League, sitting in third place, level on points with Aston Villa in fourth.
The interim head coach has done a great job, but United have not yet made a decision on a permanent appointment and Iraola is one of the names linked with the managerial position at Old Trafford, while Newcastle United are reportedly keen on the outgoing Cherries boss.
Explaining his decision to leave Bournemouth, Iraola said: "It has been a decision that has taken me a lot of time to take. It has not been a clear decision. Always during this process, this season, I’ve been talking to the club about the situation.
"They were very aware that this could happen and there is not always one main reason. I think the decision I’ve taken is because probably I don’t want to risk the feeling I have right now of pride and satisfaction of these three seasons.
Andoni Iraola, manager of AFC Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola has reportedly decided to remain in the Premier League(Image: Warren Little/Getty Images)
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"And you try to envisage yourself in a possible fourth season, in a possible fifth season. Everything costs more. We, as human beings, get tired of always watching the same faces. And I suppose I’ve decided that this was the right moment to put an end to this journey that for me has been really, really special.
"The club is in a great place. I have things in this club that I will not find anywhere else. I come to work every day with a smile and this is very valuable for me.
"But as managers, you learn because you have experience as a player, you’ve had a lot of managers, you have to choose very well when to start, where to start, when to end things.
"And it’s not a decision that I had super-clear. Sometimes, I’ve been thinking, ‘oh, I definitely am continuing here’. Other times ‘I’m not continuing here’. It’s a matter of feeling.
"There is a moment where you have to take a decision. And this is the decision I’ve taken. I suppose I prefer to make the mistake of ‘maybe I could have stayed one year more’, but I don’t want to make the mistake of ‘it was one year too much’ and there is a small margin that you are playing with and this is what it is."