Andoni Iraola is in advanced talks with Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen following his departure from Bournemouth.
The Spaniard, who is attracting widespread interest across Europe after guiding the Cherries to the Europa League with a sixth place finish, is in direct negotiations with Leverkusen over becoming their new head coach, according to Sky in Germany.
Wednesday’s Conference League champions Crystal Palace are among those to have also expressed interest in Iraola following Oliver Glasner’s farewell from Selhurst Park.
It is claimed the Eagles now have less confidence over landing the 43-year-old head coach this summer, given negotiations with Leverkusen are at an advanced stage.
Serie A giants AC Milan have too shown an interest in Iraola following the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri, who was relieved of his duties after failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Iraola confirmed he would be leaving the Vitality Stadium in April, keen to undertake a new chapter in his managerial career after three seasons with the Cherries.
Andoni Iraola is in advanced talks with Bayer Leverkusen after his exit from Bournemouth
He ended the season in style last Sunday, guiding Bournemouth into Europe for the first time in the club’s 127-year history.
Bournemouth have already found a replacement for Iraola in former RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose, who will begin his reign this summer ahead of an exciting campaign in the Europa League.
The Basque coach was also briefly linked with a potential move to Manchester United before the Red Devils rewarded interim boss Michael Carrick with the keys to Old Trafford, handing him a two-year contract after qualifying for the Champions League.
Iraola’s achievements at Bournemouth are all the more impressive given he had to rebuild after losing several key players last summer, including Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool and Ilya Zabarnyi to Paris Saint-Germain.
After replacing Gary O’Neil in June 2023 following his arrival from Rayo Vallecano, Iraola quickly won over supporters with an expansive and progressive style of football.
Bayer Leverkusen are looking to get back to the summit of German football after finishing in sixth place last campaign under Kasper Hjulmand, who remains in his post despite Iraola’s advanced talks with the outfit.
Leverkusen enjoyed a sensational Treble-winning campaign under Xabi Alonso in 2023-24 before the ex-Liverpool star moved to Real Madrid, where he was sacked midway through last season.
Alonso will manage in the Premier League for the first time next campaign after agreeing terms with Chelsea, who themselves endured a dismal season and failed to qualify for Europe altogether.
