Leaving Bournemouth in the summer
©IMAGO
After Filipe Luís decided against Bayer Leverkusen and apparently in favor of AS Monaco, the Werkself are facing a coup in the coaching position. As “Kicker” reports, Bayer is in concrete talks with Andoni Iraola, who will be leaving AFC Bournemouth in the summer. The 43-year-old Spaniard was recently traded by clubs in England and Italy.
Like his well-known coaching colleagues Xabi Alonso, Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery, Iraola comes from the Basque Country and went through the well-known school in Gipuzkoa. Alonso won the double with Bayer, Arteta led Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years and Emery won the Europa League for the fifth time with Aston Villa. Iraola doesn’t have any major titles to his name yet, but his work at Bournemouth deserves great recognition.
In the summer of 2023, Iraola took over AFC Bournemouth, which was considered a relegation candidate at the time. With twelfth place in the first year, nine in the second and sixth in the third year, he steadily improved his team. With 57 points, the Cherries had their best Premier League season in history this year and finished in sixth place – the club will be allowed to play in Europe for the first time next year. In the meantime, Bournemouth remained unbeaten in the league for 18 games. During his tenure, the squad value increased from 253 million to 507 million euros. Marco Rose will be his heir.
Iraola has not yet made a commitment; according to the report, final talks with Bayer Leverkusen will follow. As early as April there were first rumors about Iraola’s engagement on the Rhine. Several clubs, including AC Milan and Crystal Palace, have tried to get the Basque. In Leverkusen he is supposed to replace Kasper Hjulmand, who is over after less than a year.
