Ange Postecoglou has emerged as a contender to replace Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth in April 2026, following confirmation the Spaniard will leave the Premier League club at the end of the season.
Postecoglou is the reported favourite to become the Bournemouth boss when Iraola departs and is looking for his first job in management since his ill-fated spell at Nottingham Forest.
The development places two managers with an unexpected shared Celtic link back into the same conversation, three years after their paths first crossed.
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Martin O'Neill reacts to a decision made by a Celtic player against Dundee United
Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Andoni Iraola was linked with replacing Ange Postecoglou at Celtic in 2023
After his departure to Tottenham in 2023, Celtic were faced with the difficult task of replacing the Australian.
Among the names linked at the time was Iraola, then emerging as one of Europe’s most progressive young coaches after his work in La Liga.
AFC Bournemouth Training Session
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
A report in 2023 claimed that Iraola had thrown his hat into the ring for the Hoops job but, despite rejecting a new contract at Rayo Vallecano, the Bhoys chose to reunite with Brendan Rodgers.
As for the up and coming coach, he was hired by Bournemouth, where he has gone on to establish them as a side capable of competing for top half Premier League finishes.
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Why Bournemouth could now turn to Postecoglou after Iraola
Unlike his previous jobs at Spurs and Nottingham Forest, Postecoglou would be arriving to a club on the up.
The foundations are there for success, just like they were at Celtic.
Was Ange Postecoglou disrespected in England?
Some work will need to be done, but his style of play isn’t a drastic change to what Bournemouth have played under Iraola.
His five trophies in two seasons and 73 per cent win rate in Glasgow proves he isn’t a bad manager and by having a full pre-season, he could help take Bournemouth to the next level.
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