Andoni Iraola has emerged as a notable figure in football management, recently attracting interest from a Champions League club. The Spanish manager currently leads Bournemouth in the Premier League, having joined the club in the summer of 2023.
Career Overview
Iraola began his managerial journey after successful stints at clubs such as AEK Larnaca, Mirandes, and Rayo Vallecano. His guidance has significantly impacted Bournemouth, where the team secured a remarkable 12th place finish in the 2023/24 season, achieving a record 48 points. The previous season saw Bournemouth advance to ninth place, earning 56 points under his leadership.
A Growing Reputation
Due to his impressive performance, Iraola has caught the eyes of some of the Premier League’s top clubs, including Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United. He boasts a managerial record of 39 wins, 24 draws, and 34 losses in 97 matches, culminating in a win rate of 40.21%.
Interest from Athletic Club
Recently, speculation has grown around his potential return to Spain, particularly from Athletic Club, a La Liga and Champions League team. Current Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde’s contract is set to expire at the season’s end, making this an opportune time for the club to consider new leadership.
Playing Career at Athletic Club
Andoni Iraola’s connection with Athletic Club runs deep, as he spent the majority of his playing career there. He progressed through their youth system and made a total of 510 appearances for the first team, netting 38 goals. In addition, he played for clubs such as Basconia, Bilbao Athletic, and New York City FC.
Future Prospects
Reports indicate that Athletic Club views Iraola as their preferred candidate to replace Valverde. Other names in contention for the role include Inigo Perez, manager of Rayo Vallecano, and Eder Sarabia from Elche. It remains to be seen how Bournemouth will respond to this growing interest, especially considering Iraola recently extended his contract, which is valid until the end of the current season. This added layer of complexity indicates that Bournemouth faces a challenging task in retaining their talented manager.
