Report: Andoni Iraola to Depart Bournemouth This Summer Amid Bilbao Links

Iraola set to leave Bournemouth at end of season

Andoni Iraola is reportedly set to leave Bournemouth when his contract expires this summer, despite the club’s attempts to extend his deal. The Athletic links him with a return to Athletic Bilbao, with Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna named as a potential successor.

Iraola departs after three years, having developed key talents and kept Bournemouth competitive in the Premier League...

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is reportedly set to depart the club when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

The Athletic reports Iraola will leave despite Bournemouth’s best efforts to extend his stay, with the Spaniard continually linked to clubs higher up the Premier League table.

Andoni Iraola will leave Bournemouth when his contract expires at the end of this season.

Bournemouth sources say they tried everything possible to keep Iraola after 15 months of negotiations and, though they are disappointed to lose him, respect his decision and maintain a… pic.twitter.com/DTnEe9Rw0o

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) April 14, 2026

The same report says Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is high on the list of potential successors, with the process to find a replacement already underway.

Iraola has also been heavily linked with his former club, Athletic Club of Bilbao, where he made over 400 LaLiga appearances as a player.

It has already been confirmed that current Athletic head coach Ernesto Valverde will vacate his position at the end of the season.

Iraola joined the club in June 2023 and will have completed a three-year tenure by the time he leaves.

The 43-year-old has drawn praise for how he developed several top talents who moved on for big fees during his time on the south coast, including Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi, and Antoine Semenyo.

His entertaining style also turned Bournemouth into a Premier League mainstay, with regular mid-table finishes and results against the country’s elite clubs.

The Cherries recently beat league leaders Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium and are next in action against Newcastle.

Bournemouth’s remaining matches this season.