Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Fri 20 March 2026 14:15, UK

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AFC Bournemouth supporters are resigned to losing manager Andoni Iraola this summer after news emerged from Spain.

Ernesto Valverde, 62, is set to step down from his role as head coach at Athletic Club following a four-year spell with the La Liga giants, and Iraola is being tipped to replace him.

After playing nearly 500 games for the club during his playing career, the Spaniard has a very strong connection to Athletic Club, and he has made no secret about potentially leaving the Cherries.

Bournemouth will need to begin a manager search at some point in the not-too-distant future, but after this latest update, it could be a lot sooner than many realised at the Vitality Stadium.

Andoni Iraola has a very strong connection to Athletic Club

The Cherries still very much have a chance of securing European football, sitting eight points behind fifth place in the Premier League, with eight games remaining.

One supporter wrote that Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam would “only report this if that means Iraola is going the other way,” and it is safe to say that the fans are freaking out on the south coast.

Supporters just want a chance to bid farewell to the manager who has helped the Cherries to compete in the Premier League, with one suggesting that he has just eight more games in charge.

• @arnoldsavoir: “That’s that then. Thank you for everything, Andoni. Hope club give us an announcement to properly show him all of our love and support.”
• @RichardJ1959: “Looks like 8 more games of Iraolaball then. Enjoy it while we can.”
• @PaulTheDon89: “Mark wouldn’t tweet it unless it means something for us… or am I reading too much into this!?!”

Bournemouth boss is also linked with a Premier League move

While clubs across Europe are keeping tabs on the manager’s situation, multiple Premier League teams appreciate the 43-year-old and his achievements on the south coast.

Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Iraola signing a new deal is a possibility, but very few at the Vitality can see this happening, especially given the growing interest in him.

Man United, Tottenham and Crystal Palace have all been listed as potential destinations, but an emotional return to Athletic Club appears a far more likely outcome this summer.

Iraola’s current contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, and if the Cherries are to persuade him to stay, they must do so very soon.