Andoni Iraola will not be making a dream return to Athletic Club after the club announced that Edin Terzic will be taking charge of the first team next season.
The Bilbao outfit revealed on Tuesday that the former Borussia Dortmund boss had signed a two-year deal to become their head coach in the summer, replacing the outgoing Ernesto Valverde.
Many assumed that Iraola would take the reigns at Athletic, where he spent 12 years as a player, after he announced in April that he would be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season.
The 43-year-old, however, said last month that he had “no clue” where he would end up next. “I don’t know if I’m going to coach next season. I have no rush to know it. The decision has not been affected by any other club,” he told the BBC.
Iraola overlooked for dream job amid Premier League links
It appears increasingly likely that Iraola will manage in the Premier League again next year, with numerous clubs linked with a move for him.
Manchester United and Chelsea are both on the lookout for new managers after both Ruben Amorim and Liam Rosenior were sacked.
Michael Carrick has made strong case to get the job on a permanent basis after impressing as interim head coach, but the Red Devils are reportedly admirers of Iraola, who is considered the ‘biggest rival’ to the Englishman for the vacancy.
There was also speculation that he could end up at Liverpool, Newcastle United or Spurs, but Arne Slot and Eddie Howe are set to remain in place while Tottenham hired Roberto De Zerbi on a five-year deal at the end of March.
Crystal Palace put Iraola on their list of targets when Oliver Glasner confirmed he will be leaving Selhurst Park, although it would be a major coup if they managed to land the Basque native.
