Marco Rose is believed to be the front-runner for the Bournemouth job.
Sky Sports news understands the club has a shortlist of three potential successors to Andoni Iraola that also includes Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna.
Bournemouth are believed to want to install Iraola’s successor quickly after it was confirmed on Monday that he would leave at the end of his contract.
The key name to watch is Rose, who has been available since being sacked by RB Leipzig in March 2025.
McKenna, meanwhile, is still pushing for promotion back to the Premier League with Ipswich.
Another name Bournemouth admire is Iraola’s former assistant Inigo Perez, but he is not believed to be on the three-man shortlist at this time.
Iraola took over at the Vitality Stadium in June 2023 following the departure of Gary O’Neil, and led the Cherries to ninth in the Premier League last season, setting a new club record for points.
With Iraola’s contract expiring in the summer, the club had sought to agree a new deal but have reluctantly accepted his departure.
“AFC Bournemouth can confirm that head coach Andoni Iraola will leave the club at the end of the 2025/26 season, bringing to an end his successful three-year tenure on the south coast,” read a statement on Tuesday.
Iraola has been linked with a return to former team Athletic Bilbao as well as the Manchester United job.
The news of Iraola’s departure comes just days after a memorable 2-1 win over Premier League leaders Arsenal.
“It has been an honor to manage Bournemouth and I am proud of what we have achieved together,” Iraola said on the club’s website.
“I am grateful to the players and staff that I have worked with as well as (chairman) Bill (Foley) who have all made my time here so special.
“As for the fans, you have continued to show your amazing support for myself and the team and for that I will always be grateful.
“I feel this is the right time for me to leave, but I will always carry great memories of this club.”
How do you replace the irreplaceable?
Iraola will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season
Analysis from Sky Sports News reporter Mark McAdam:
How to replace the almost irreplaceable? That’s what Bournemouth have to do.
Back in July 2023, when they appointed a relatively unknown coach in Iraola, their first ever foreign manager, nobody expected it to go so well.
A solid first season followed by two campaigns that have seen them in the race for Europe is incredible for a club like Bournemouth. He could still lead them into European competition for the first time – and then walk away.
But while he has taken time to decide his future, the club have been working in the background to find their next head coach and the key name to watch is Rose.
The 49-year-old is available after being sacked in March 2025 by RB Leipzig for under-performing in the league and Champions League. But he has won silverware and has Champions League experience.
The hunt for trophies and Europe is the next step for Bournemouth. The question on the south coast is; can they add a major trophy to the cabinet for the first time in the club’s history?
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Mark McAdam reports that Andoni Iraola is set to leave Bournemouth at the end of the season after three years in charge.
Rose also fits the bill in terms of his footballing philosophy, he has described the basic ideas of his playing style as “emotion, hunger and being active”.
“We want to be very active against the ball, sprint a lot, he has said. “We want to win high balls and have short routes to the goal. We don’t want to play loud and wide, but fast, dynamic and actively moving forward.”
It is a very similar style to Iraola.
The other name appearing on Bournemouth’s list is highly regarded Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna – but the fact he is in the middle of a promotion push and a season that could be extended by three weeks until the play-offs would put barriers in the way of a quick appointment.
Another name to watch out for is Iñigo Pérez – Andoni’s former assistant and current boss of Rayo Vallecano. He came over to Bournemouth with Iraola but didn’t stay due to work visa issues.
He is highly respected by the club – but not necessarily on their short list this time.
In an ideal world, Bournemouth would like to have this completed within the next week or two – so that planning for next season can start immediately. They might even have Europe to plan too.