Iraola Opens Up On Bournemouth Future

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola says he wants his contract situation to be resolved “sooner rather than later” – but a decision is “definitely” closer to being made.

The 43-year-old Spaniard’s deal expires at the end of the current campaign.

Iraola led the Cherries to club-record Premier League points totals in his two seasons in charge since replacing Gary O’Neil in June 2023.

“Definitely [closer to a decision]. It is something we will decide sooner rather than later, but there is no news,” Iraola said at a press conference on Friday.

“When there is something to say, we will say it.”

Iraola signed a 12-month contract extension to stay at the club until at least the end of the 2025-26 campaign following a successful first season in charge, having signed an initial two-year deal.

But he has been linked, external to jobs at Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Manchester United this summer.

“I have one thing clear, the club and me are very open. We talk a lot,” Iraola said.

“I have a great relationship with [technical director] Simon Francis and [president of football operations] Tiago [Pinto].

“Everything is fine between us.”

After a slow start, Iraola led the club to a 12th-placed finish and their highest points total (48) in the Premier League in his first campaign.

The Cherries improved again in the Spaniard’s second season, finishing ninth with 56 points.

With nine games of the 2025-26 campaign remaining, they sit ninth in the league with 40 points.

Those results have been achieved despite player sales exceeding £250m over recent windows, including three of last season’s first-choice back four in Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi, and attackers Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara.

In comparison, they paid their joint-second biggest transfer fee – after the £32m they paid for Brazilian striker Evanilson in 2024 – when they signed striker Rayan for an initial £24.7m in January.