Andoni Iraola will leave Bournemouth at the end of this season with Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna on the shortlist to replace him.
Bournemouth had been preparing their succession plans for some time should Iraola have decided against signing a new long-term contract, which he has now done.
The Premier League club were informed during the last international break that despite 15 months of negotiations and doing everything in their power to try and keep him, Iraola had decided to go.
The players were told during training on Tuesday that Iraola was leaving, with the news later confirmed by the club.
“It has been an honour to manage AFC Bournemouth and I am proud of what we have achieved together,” Iraola said in a statement. “I’m thankful to the players and staff that I’ve worked with, as well as Bill [Foley, the club chairman], who have all made my time here so special.
“As for the fans, you have continued to show your fantastic support to myself and the team, and for that I will always be grateful. I feel this is the right moment for me to step away, but I will always carry fantastic memories of this club.”
Foley praised Iraola’s impact, hailing his “intensity” and “innovation”.
McKenna’s availability may hinge on whether Ipswich are promoted to the Premier League, while there is also believed to be a significant release clause of around £6m in his contract at Portman Road.
Bournemouth are considering other candidates including the former Borussia Dortmund coach Marco Rose, who is keen to work in the Premier League and is readily available.
Iraola’s current deal expires when the campaign ends and his departure has been described as amicable. Although the Spaniard will be in demand, he has not yet decided on his next move.
Claims that he has already agreed a deal with his former club, Athletic Bilbao, where he spent 12 years as a player, have been refuted, although he has been considering returning to Spain. Athletic have been in talks with another former Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic to succeed Ernesto Valverde. It is understood negotiations are advanced with Terzic.
If Iraola decides to stay in the Premier League then a number of clubs would be interested. Manchester United showed interest in the past, as did Tottenham Hotspur, but both decided against making a move for Iraola.
Telegraph Sport revealed last month that he is a target for Crystal Palace to succeed the departing Oliver Glasner. Previously clubs were put off by the £10m release clause fee in Iraola’s contract at Bournemouth, but he will now be a free agent.
There are set to be vacancies in the Premier League this summer and Iraola’s record and ready availability make him an attractive target.
He last signed a contract extension in the summer of 2024, having joined Bournemouth 12 months earlier on an initial two-year deal.
Bournemouth sources say they tried everything possible to keep Iraola and wanted him for the long term, but he eventually decided his time there had come to a close.
The club are disappointed to lose him but respect his decision and maintain a strong relationship, and are grateful for what he has done. It was also argued that he might struggle elsewhere to get the same conditions under which he worked at Bournemouth.
The hope is Iraola will now secure qualification for European football, with Bournemouth 11th and unbeaten in 12 league games.
Iraola joined Bournemouth from Rayo Vallecano to replace Gary O’Neil in June 2023 and his reputation has grown, backed by the positive, attacking football that he coaches.
Tiago Pinto, Bournemouth’s head of football operations, said: “Andoni is someone I have a lot of admiration for, both as a head coach and as a person.
“His attention to detail, tactical intelligence and ability to bring the best out of players is something we have seen every day.
“We’ve continued to watch the development of individuals under his coaching both here at AFC Bournemouth and now in some of Europe’s top leagues too.
“We of course respect his decision and thank him for everything he has done for this football club over the last three years.”