Iraola decision to leave Bournemouth ‘not about any other club’

Andoni Iraola says that his decision to leave Bournemouth at the end of the season has nothing to do with joining another club.

The Spaniard confirmed this week that he will end his three-year stint on the south coast when his contract expires in the summer.

Iraola has been linked with a number of roles after doing a highly impressive job with the Cherries. Under his leadership the team achieved their highest-ever Premier League finish and broke their record points total, finishing 9th on 56 points last season.

The 43-year-old was linked with vacancies at Manchester United and Spurs earlier this season and is reportedly ‘open’ to taking the reins at Old Trafford. He is also the bookmakers’ favourite to take over at Newcastle United if Eddie Howe is sacked, although it is widely expected he will be in the dugout at Athletic Club next season.

Ernesto Valverde will step down at the end of this season, opening the door for Iraola to return to the club where he spent the majority of his playing career.

Andoni Iraola: Leaving Bournemouth is ‘not about any other club’

The former Rayo Vallecano boss insists, however, that he does not know what the next step of his managerial career will be.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Bournemouth’s clash with Newcastle United on Saturday, Iraola said: “The decision was not about any other club, there was no other club involved; it was about either continuing here or not continuing here.

“I don’t know what I want to do next season. I don’t know if I am going to coach a team, a club. I don’t know if I am going to coach an international team. I don’t know if I am going to coach in this continent. I have no idea what is going to happen.

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“I don’t know if you are going to believe me, but it is the truth. And also I don’t have any rush to want to know it. I have taken a big decision for me, now I want to focus on what we have in this moment. These next six games are massive for us.

“There is going to be time to think [later] if we are going to have to think on something else.”

Bournemouth currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, just two points off the European spots. Asked about the timing of his decision, Iraola replied:

“I agree 100% with what you said, I have nothing to say against this. I think the club is in a great place. I have things in this club that I will not find anywhere else. I come every day to work here with a smile and this is very valuable for me, but as managers you learn.

“You have experience as a player because you have a lot of managers who have to choose very well when to start, where to start.

“It is not a decision that I had super clear. I am not going to convince you because it has taken me this season. Sometimes I have been thinking ‘oh definitely I am going to stay here’. Other times I have been thinking ‘I am not going to continue here’.

“It is a matter of feeling and there is a moment where you have to take the decision and this is the decision I have taken.

“I prefer to make the mistake of thinking maybe I could have stayed one year more rather than thinking I have stayed one year too much.

“There is a small margin you are playing with and it is what it is.”

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