Andoni Iraola says that his decision to leave Bournemouth at the end of the season has nothing to do with joining another club.Â
The Spaniard confirmed this week that he will end his three-year stint on the south coast when his contract expires in the summer.
Iraola has been linked with a number of roles after doing a highly impressive job with the Cherries. Under his leadership the team achieved their highest-ever Premier League finish and broke their record points total, finishing 9th on 56 points last season.
The 43-year-old was linked with vacancies at Manchester United and Spurs earlier this season and is reportedly ‘open’ to taking the reins at Old Trafford. He is also the bookmakers’ favourite to take over at Newcastle United if Eddie Howe is sacked, although it is widely expected he will be in the dugout at Athletic Club next season.
Ernesto Valverde will step down at the end of this season, opening the door for Iraola to return to the club where he spent the majority of his playing career.
Andoni Iraola: Leaving Bournemouth is ‘not about any other club’
The former Rayo Vallecano boss insists, however, that he does not know what the next step of his managerial career will be.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Bournemouth’s clash with Newcastle United on Saturday, Iraola said: “The decision was not about any other club, there was no other club involved; it was about either continuing here or not continuing here.
“I don’t know what I want to do next season. I don’t know if I am going to coach a team, a club. I don’t know if I am going to coach an international team. I don’t know if I am going to coach in this continent. I have no idea what is going to happen.
“I don’t know if you are going to believe me, but it is the truth. And also I don’t have any rush to want to know it. I have taken a big decision for me, now I want to focus on what we have in this moment. These next six games are massive for us.
“There is going to be time to think [later] if we are going to have to think on something else.”
Power Rankings – PSG put pressure on Bayern Munich at the top
Fantasy Premier League – Five players to target for FPL Double Gameweek 33
