Andoni Iraloa ‘makes decision on next job’ as Man Utd links swirl | Football | Sport

Manchester United could receive a significant boost should they choose to pursue Andoni Iraola as the club’s new permanent manager. The Cherries boss confirmed he will depart when his contract expires this summer, amid considerable speculation regarding his next move. Several reports suggested Iraola would head back to Athletic Bilbao, the club where he spent the bulk of his playing days, following the announcement that Ernesto Valverde would be stepping down this summer.

However, Marca claims Iraola has resolved to continue his managerial career in the Premier League. The report further states that Bilbao are looking to appoint former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic as their new head coach, in the wake of Iraola’s decision. The German coach steered the Bundesliga outfit to the Champions League final in 2024 and has consistently been linked with a switch to the Premier League.

Michael Carrick has been at the helm at United since Ruben Amorim’s exit earlier this year and has the Reds firmly in the hunt for a return to Champions League football, currently occupying third place, level on points with Aston Villa in fourth. The caretaker boss has performed admirably, yet United have still to reach a verdict on a permanent appointment.

Iraola is amongst the names being touted for the managerial hot seat at Old Trafford, while Newcastle United are said to be keen on securing the departing Cherries chief. Outlining his reasons for leaving Bournemouth, Iraola said: “It has been a decision that has taken me a lot of time to take. It has not been a clear decision. Always during this process, this season, I’ve been talking to the club about the situation.

“They were very aware that this could happen and there is not always one main reason. I think the decision I’ve taken is because probably I don’t want to risk the feeling I have right now of pride and satisfaction of these three seasons.

“And you try to envisage yourself in a possible fourth season, in a possible fifth season. Everything costs more. We, as human beings, get tired of always watching the same faces. And I suppose I’ve decided that this was the right moment to put an end to this journey that for me has been really, really special.

“The club is in a great place. I have things in this club that I will not find anywhere else. I come to work every day with a smile and this is very valuable for me.

“But as managers, you learn because you have experience as a player, you’ve had a lot of managers, you have to choose very well when to start, where to start, when to end things.

“And it’s not a decision that I had super-clear. Sometimes, I’ve been thinking, ‘oh, I definitely am continuing here’. Other times ‘I’m not continuing here’. It’s a matter of feeling.

“There is a moment where you have to take a decision. And this is the decision I’ve taken. I suppose I prefer to make the mistake of ‘maybe I could have stayed one year more’, but I don’t want to make the mistake of ‘it was one year too much’ and there is a small margin that you are playing with and this is what it is.”