Tom Olver
Published January 18, 2026 4:08pm
Updated January 18, 2026 7:03pm
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Manchester United and Tottenham have both been credited with an interest in Andoni Iraola (Picture: Getty)
Andoni Iraola has distanced himself from speculation linking him with both Manchester United and Tottenham, reassuring Bournemouth fans that he remains ‘very happy’ at the Vitality Stadium.
The 43-year-old took over the reins from Gary O’Neil at Bournemouth in June 2023 and has gone on to establish himself as one of the most highly rated and sought-after managers in the Premier League.
Last season, Iraola steered the Cherries to their best-ever finish of ninth in the English top flight, with the club breaking their record points total in the process.
Having lost three of his first-choice defenders – Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez – in the summer transfer window, it has proven a trickier campaign for Iraola this time around.
Iraola has also had to deal with the departure of star forward Antoine Semenyo, who left the south-coast outfit to complete a £62.5million transfer move to Manchester City this January.
But despite Bournemouth’s lowly league position and reported interest from the likes of United and Spurs, the Spaniard insists staying put is a ‘good option’.
‘I’m very happy at Bournemouth, I’ve always said that,’ Iraola – who is out of contract at the end of the season – told Marca when asked about rumours linking him with United and Tottenham.
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Michael Carrick has taken over from Ruben Amorim on an interim basis at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
Thomas Frank finds himself under intense pressure at Spurs (Picture: Getty)
‘For managers, the contract isn’t that important. I believe that trust should be renewed every year. If you’re happy with me and I’m happy with you, why not continue for another year?
‘I wouldn’t want to stay somewhere simply because I have a signed contract. Once we achieve our goal, we’ll meet and see how to approach the next season and whether or not to stay.
‘That’s what I’m thinking about, but continuing here is a good option.’
Iraola’s contract expires at the end of the season (Picture: Getty)
Iraola has also been tipped as a potential long-term successor to Ernesto Valverde as Athletic Bilbao’s head coach.
As a player, Iraola built up a deep connection with Athletic’s fanbase and left Bilbao as the sixth highest appearance maker in the club’s history.
‘It’s a question I’ve been asked many times at the different clubs I’ve been at, and I always say the same thing,’ Iraola said of the possibility of replacing Valverde in the future.
Iraola’s Bournemouth defeated Spurs in their last Premier League outing (Picture: Getty)
‘At Athletic Bilbao, they probably have the manager I admire the most in Ernesto Valverde. I hope he stays for many years.
‘That’s what I feel as a fan. Then again, everyone has to make decisions as opportunities arise.
‘When I started in Cyprus, I didn’t know I was going to go to Miranda, then to Vallecas and then to Bournemouth. It’s the same now; I don’t know what the future holds.’
The Cherries are languishing down in 15th this season (Picture: Getty)
Iraola is one of three Basque managers currently plying their trade in the Premier League, alongside Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery.
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Asked what makes Basque managers so successful in England, Iraola replied: ‘In general, the level of La Liga managers is very high.
‘Then it’s a matter of adapting to the Premier League, the language… We all come from different backgrounds. Arteta, for example, practically spent his entire career in England.
‘In any case, the Premier League is a very global league, and there are fewer and fewer English managers.
‘The competition is brutal, but I’m excited when I face Mikel or other people I know.’
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