From Cyprus to the second tier of Spanish football to the Premier League… Andoni Iraola has certainly been on an upward trajectory since taking charge of AEK Larnaca in 2018.
The Spaniard has since guided AFC Bournemouth to their best-ever Premier League season – ninth, with 56 points accumulated – in 2024/25, as well as reaching the quarter finals of the FA Cup with the Cherries.
No wonder Iraola’s stock is high. And after announcing his intention to leave Bournemouth at the end of the campaign, it will be fascinating to see where he heads next.
Could one of the Premier League’s ‘big five’ come calling?
Doing It in Style
At the time of writing, Bournemouth are priced at 5/6 in the online sports betting odds to finish in the top half of the Premier League this term.
If they can pull it off, it would be the first time in club history that the Cherries have recorded back-to-back top ten finishes… both of them with Iraola in the dugout.
One of the main reasons that the Spaniard will be so in demand this summer is his ability to produce attractive football that is effective in the final third of the pitch – a pre-requisite for managing a big club.
Not only that, Iraola has improved Bournemouth’s fortunes while being respectful of their relatively small financial means – the South Coast club posted a net profit, one of only four Premier League outfits to do so, from their transfer work in this season’s two windows.
For Bournemouth to post a net transfer spend of +£113 million and still be as competitive as last season is testament to the work of Iraola, whose tactics are a perfect fit for the Premier League.
This is Bournemouth’s best ever start to a Premier League season, with 14 points after 7 matches 🔥
They had a net spend of -£100m in the summer window, the lowest in the league 🤯 pic.twitter.com/bwDQEIEq59
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 7, 2025
High pressing and aggressive out of possession, the Cherries are also very dangerous with the ball – often moving quickly through the thirds with incisive vertical passing. Bournemouth rank seventh, at the time of writing, for xG created in 2025/26.
Iraola has seen his players sold to Real Madrid, PSG, Liverpool, and Manchester City – a testament to his ability in improving his young talents.
All of which makes for a very attractive proposition for big clubs seeking a new manager this summer…
Famous Five
If we agree that Tottenham no longer form part of a ‘big six’ in the Premier League, that leaves a famous five of elite operators in English football.
Ironically, they could all be seeking a new manager come the end of May. Does Mikel Arteta’s position become untenable if Arsenal are once again trophy-less?
🚨 Manchester City will let Pep Guardiola decide what he wants to do with his future.
As reported since January, Enzo Maresca is the favorite candidate if/when Pep decides to leave.
Despite reports on Kompany, #MCFC really appreciate Maresca.
🎥➕ https://t.co/ab4T9cSFXz pic.twitter.com/FGuACMMzC3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 2, 2026
Rumours persist that Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City in the summer, while the future of Liam Rosenior at Chelsea is becoming more precarious as the Blues embark on a wretched run of form.
Arne Slot has already offered to resign as Liverpool head coach, while Manchester United will wait before making a permanent decision on interim boss Michael Carrick.
It could be a fascinating summer of managerial movements… no doubt Iraola will be notably discussed in any recruitment decisions made by the Premier League’s famous five.
