Andoni Iraola Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola Bournemouth
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has been urged to seriously consider a return to Athletic Club this summer as Ernesto Valverde’s replacement.
Cadena SER report on the Bournemouth manager today and a potential return to the Spanish club as their next manager.
The Spanish outlet explains that Iraola’s name refuses to leave the Athletic Club conversation as speculation mounts over who will replace Valverde in the hot seat.
Names such as Edin Terzic and Mauricio Pochettino headline the external candidates, but the pull of their former captain with a rising managerial profile is proving hard to ignore.
Why Iraola fits
Andoni Iraola’s work at Bournemouth since 2023 has not gone unnoticed at his former club. They’re aware of his success in England to date, including a record points tally in his first season.
With his contract ending in June, he’s an attractive option for a lot of clubs. And that includes Athletic Club.
Galder Cerrajería, who played under Iraola at Mirandés, doesn’t mince words:
“He has a high profile. One day he’ll end up on the San Mamés bench. He’s a bet for both the present and the future.”
Built from Athletic DNA
Galder Cerrajería and Andoni Iraola shared dressing rooms at Lezama, and that familiarity shapes his view of the Bournemouth boss strongly.
“A complete coach. He’s a mix of all the coaches he had as a player and he adapts to the players he has in the squad,” explained Cerrajería.
That adaptability was on full display at Mirandés, where Iraola’s first major job in Spanish football produced a remarkable Copa del Rey run to the semi-finals, eliminating several La Liga sides in the process.
He continued the success at Rayo Vallecano and now Bournemouth, lining him up for a return to his old club.
A close bond with Athletic
Andoni Iraola’s legacy at the Spanish club is undeniable. He made 510 appearances for them in total, the fourth most in their history, and is a firm fan favourite.
His final goal for the club, at San Mamés, even secured European qualification. His connection to the club is emotional, cultural and deep. Cerrajería believes the fit is obvious.
“It’s a club that’s a perfect fit for him. He knows it firsthand and I’m sure he’d be welcomed by everyone,” he concluded.
Rumour or real possibility
With his contract at Bournemouth expiring and Athletic entering a summer of transition, Andoni Iraola sits at a crossroads.
He isn’t just a sentimental option for the Spanish club, he’s a modern, proven coach whose trajectory aligns with their identity and ambitions. There are few who don’t think it would work.
The Bournemouth manager will have a decision to make. Does he make the emotional return, stay at Bournemouth, or hope, perhaps, for another Premier League job?