Andoni Iraola has distanced himself from speculation linking him with each Manchester United and Tottenham, reassuring Bournemouth fans that he stays ‘very completely happy’ on 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 ascertain himself as one of the highly rated and sought-after managers within the Premier League.
Last season, Iraola steered the Cherries to their best-ever finish of ninth within the English top flight, with the club breaking their record points total in the method.
Having lost three of his first-choice defenders – Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez – in the summertime transfer window, it has proven a trickier campaign for Iraola this time around.
Iraola has also needed to cope with the departure of star forward Antoine Semenyo, who left the south-coast outfit to finish 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 completely happy at Bournemouth, I’ve at all times said that,’ Iraola – who’s out of contract at the tip of the season – told Marca when asked about rumours linking him with United and Tottenham.
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‘For managers, the contract isn’t that vital. I imagine that trust must be renewed yearly. Should you’re completely happy with me and I’m completely happy with you, why not proceed for an additional 12 months?
‘I wouldn’t need to stay somewhere just because I actually have a signed contract. Once we achieve our goal, we’ll meet and see the right way to approach the following season and whether or not to remain.
‘That’s what I’m serious about, but continuing here is an excellent option.’
Iraola has also been tipped as a possible long-term successor to Ernesto Valverde as Athletic Bilbao’s head coach.
As a player, Iraola built up a deep reference to Athletic’s fanbase and left Bilbao because the sixth highest appearance maker within the club’s history.
‘It’s a matter I’ve been asked again and again at the various clubs I’ve been at, and I at all times say the identical thing,’ Iraola said of the opportunity of replacing Valverde in the long run.
‘At Athletic Bilbao, they probably have the manager I love probably the most in Ernesto Valverde. I hope he stays for a few years.
‘That’s what I feel as a fan. However, everyone has to make decisions as opportunities arise.
‘Once I began in Cyprus, I didn’t know I used to be going to go to Miranda, then to Vallecas after which to Bournemouth. It’s the identical now; I don’t know what the long run holds.’
Iraola is considered one of three Basque managers currently plying their trade within the Premier League, alongside Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery.
Asked what makes Basque managers so successful in England, Iraola replied: ‘On the whole, the extent of La Liga managers may be very high.
‘Then it’s a matter of adapting to the Premier League, the language… All of us come from different backgrounds. Arteta, for instance, practically spent his entire profession in England.
‘In any case, the Premier League is a really global league, and there are fewer and fewer English managers.
‘The competition is brutal, but I’m excited once I face Mikel or other people I do know.’
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