Bournemouth boss Iraola confident summer exit is the right decision

Bournemouth boss Iraola confident summer exit is the right decision

Andoni Iraola says he is convinced he has chosen the right moment to leave Bournemouth, admitting he did not want to risk staying too long and damaging the work he has done at the club.

The 43-year-old confirmed this week that he will step down after three years at the Vitality Stadium, bringing an end to a spell in which he has built an exciting, progressive side widely praised for their front-foot style of play.

Bournemouth were keen to keep him, but Iraola believes the timing is right to move on and take on a new challenge: “It has been a decision that has taken me a lot of time to take, it has not been a clear decision. Always during this process I have been talking to the club about all the situations. They were aware that this could happen.

“There is not always one main reason, I think that the decision I have taken is because probably I don’t want to risk the feeling I have right now of satisfaction of these three seasons. You try to envisage yourself in a possible fourth or fifth season and everything costs more.

“We as human beings, we get tired of watching always the same face and I suppose I have decided that this was the right moment to put an end to this journey, which for me has been really, really special.”

Iraola has already been linked with several clubs, including Newcastle ahead of their meeting with Bournemouth, as well as Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Despite his decision to leave, he insisted he remains proud of what has been built at Bournemouth and will always value his time at the club.