Andoni Iraola to Step Down as Bournemouth Head Coach at Season's End

Andoni Iraola will bring his three-year tenure at AFC Bournemouth to a close when the 2025/26 season concludes, the club announced on Tuesday.

The 43-year-old Spaniard arrived on the south coast in 2023, taking over from Gary O'Neil, and quickly established Bournemouth as a credible Premier League presence. Last season, he guided the Cherries to a joint-highest finish of ninth in the table — a milestone that underlined just how far the club had come since its promotion years. He also accumulated the club's record points haul of 56 in a single league campaign, earning widespread praise for his attacking style of football and his work developing both young and established players.

This season, Bournemouth briefly found themselves inside the top four after an impressive opening stretch that produced just two defeats in the first ten games. However, a significant falloff over November and the festive period saw the club win just once in eleven top-flight fixtures, and they now sit 11th in the table — though they remain unbeaten throughout 2026.

In a statement, Iraola reflected on his time at Vitality Stadium with evident pride. "It has been an honour to manage AFC Bournemouth and I am proud of what we have achieved together," he said. "I feel this is the right moment to step away, but I will always carry fantastic memories of this club." He also reserved special words for the supporters, thanking them for their continued backing throughout his tenure.

The club's official communication paid tribute to Iraola's impact, noting his pivotal role in shaping Bournemouth's identity in the Premier League and the recognition he garnered for his progressive tactical approach. Fitness coach Pablo de la Torre, whose contract runs concurrently with Iraola's, will also depart in the summer.

Iraola's exit adds him to a growing list of distinguished managers to have left Bournemouth in recent years, joining the likes of Eddie Howe in the club's modern history. His next move is yet to be determined, though he is expected to be a candidate for several high-profile managerial vacancies across Europe this summer.