New Andoni Iraola contract update emerges as Bournemouth chiefs ‘sweat’
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is not set to sign a new contract at the club anytime soon despite his current terms being set to expire at the end of this season.
Andoni Iraola has worked wonders at Bournemouth since he was appointed as their head-coach in June 2023 following Gary O’Neil’s sacking.
He led the Cherries to a 12th-placed Premier League finish in his first season in charge, then they challenged for Europe last term but just came up short and eventually finished ninth.
Key players like Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez left Bournemouth in the summer, with many fearful for their chances of success this term as a result, but Iraola has led his side to a good start so far with 19 points from 13 games to sit in 11th place.
Football Insider have previously revealed that Iraola is on Man United’s shortlist if Ruben Amorim is sacked, and Bournemouth are wary of interest in his services so want to tie him down a new contract, which has proven tough so far.
Iraola is set to wait until the end of the season to decide his future
Football Insider previously reported that Bournemouth are “confident” in agreeing a new long-term contract with Iraola, but nothing has been confirmed as yet and he is currently set to walk away from the club next summer if a new deal is not penned.
Head of Football Operations Tiago Pinto has admitted that Bournemouth do not have a succession plan for Iraola as it stands, but they may need to start planning for life after him following a fresh development.
According to a new report from talkSPORT, Iraola is set to keep the Cherries “sweating over his future” as he does not plan to enter contract talks “until nearer the end of the season.”
Cherries owner Bill Foley is believed to be “desperate” to sort out the Basque manager’s future at the club, but he has historically preferred to work on short-term deals, hence why it was seen as a coup when they extended his deal for two years in May 2024.
What Iraola has publicly said about his contract situation
Iraola has understandably kept his cards close to his chest when it comes to this huge upcoming decision in his managerial career.
The 43-year-old will be assessing his options ahead of next summer after being sounded out for a number of bigger jobs than the Bournemouth one.
He has spoken publicly about the situation a few times, but admitted in September that it was not at the forefront of his mind ahead of on-field issues, saying: “I think I’ve said it a lot of times, I’m very happy here.
“I think there have been a lot of changes in the club this summer and for me, my goal, my objective, is to do it very well now with new players, kind of a new squad.
“And this is what I am focusing on. Then we will have time to discuss other things…we have still one year of contract. Maybe you are wanting to sack me in three months. You never know how football works.
While he may be content right now, there is no telling how the next few months could go for Bournemouth and Iraola given the ever-changing footballing landscape.
Cherries fans will be desperate for him to stay beyond this season, but the club will certainly need to back him in January by keeping hold of key men like Antoine Semenyo and bringing new ones in to bolster his squad.