(Credit: Imago)

Ciaran Morrison

Mon 25 May 2026 7:30, UK

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AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola would deserve to be named Premier League manager of the season.

That is the view of former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, who also gives high praise to Brentford’s Keith Andrews and Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris.

Iraola has led Bournemouth into Europe for the very first time in their history, with the Cherries having improved every season under the Spaniard’s management.

The 43-year-old had to deal with the loss of key players last summer, including both of his starting centre halves and first-choice goalkeeper.

Iraola has confirmed he will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, and the job he has done at the Vitality Stadium has seen him linked with replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool.

Andoni Iraola has been the ‘standout’ manager this season

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Iraola has had to overcome more obstacles than most other managers this season.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks that Mikel Arteta also deserves credit for leading Arsenal to the Premier League title, but that it is “easier” managing at the top level.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I’ve looked at this a lot, and I’ve considered this, and I’m looking at the three that I would pick from is Iraola, Regis Le Bris and Keith Andrews.

“Now, Keith Andrews, I’ll put my hand up. That’s one I got completely wrong. I think it’s out of those three. And if it was probably going to be down to that selection, Iraola would be the one that I would say to me has been the outstanding manager, given the resources he’s had, the way he’s managed a tight squad, injuries, transfers in and out.

“That’s who I would say is my manager of the year. I think it’s a little bit easier at the top level. Of course, Arteta’s done a great job with the constant pressure.

“But for me, the standout is about coaching a group of players to over perform. Iraola, to me, is the standout of that group.”

Andoni Iraola linked with Premier League vacancy

Sources have told Football Insider that Iraola is the number one target to replace Oliver Glasner as Crystal Palace manager.

Crystal Palace are admirers of Iraola and want him to continue the fine work Glasner has done at Selhurst Park.

Glasner guided the Eagles to their first major trophy last season after beating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final, and they have a chance to win the Europa Conference League if they defeat Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig.

Iraola will decide his next club when the season is finished, and Crystal Palace may need to move quickly to appoint the Spaniard ahead of their rivals.