Iraola to leave Bournemouth at season’s end after rejecting new deal, Cherries eye McKenna as successor

Iraola to leave Bournemouth at season’s end after rejecting new deal, Cherries eye McKenna as successor

Andoni Iraola will leave Bournemouth when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The Spaniard has decided to turn down the offer of a contract extension with the Cherries, in favour of a new challenge.

The Athletic are reporting that the Bournemouth board 'tried everything possible' to retain Iraola after 15 months of negotiations. Iraola signed an initial two-year contract when he arrived from Rayo Vallecano in 2023.

He has won plaudits for his performances at Bournemouth despite challenges. The Cherries finished ninth in thePremier League last season and have continued to compete in 2025/26, despite mass upheaval. Last summer, Bournemouth sold Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi for big fees, and lost Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in January.

Bournemouth have started their succession plan with Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna the favoured choice. McKenna is closing in on a second promotion to thePremier League with Ipswich, who are second in the Championship with six games to go.

Iraola is expected to be a target for several Premier League teams. Crystal Palace have been named as suitors for the 43-year-old, who was previously a candidate for Tottenham Hotspur, before the club's appointment of Roberto De Zerbi.

Manchester United have also been named as a potential destination. The Red Devils are assessing candidates for their vacant manager's role, after Ruben Amorim's exit in January.