Bournemouth are considering Rayo Vallecano boss Inigo Perez, Coventry manager Frank Lampard and Kieran McKenna as they plan for life after Andoni Iraola, who has decided to leave at the end of the season.
Iraola informed the club over the international break that he wanted to leave in the summer, having decided three years was a natural “end of the cycle” on the South Coast.
They made extensive efforts to persuade Iraola to stay over 15 months, offering a bumper three-year deal for him to commit his medium-term future to the club. They had hoped a successful January transfer window – with the club now complying with squad cost ratio (SCR) rules while also adding to their squad – would help persuade him that they could match his ambitions.
But in a move that sources acknowledge is a heavy “blow” to a club that have lost some of their best players over the last 12 months, Iraola will leave and seek another job. He is wanted both in the Premier League and his native Spain but he is yet to commit to another role.
It is a measure of Bournemouth’s stability in the Premier League that they are now regarded as one of the better roles for aspiring coaches.
McKenna, who has impressed at Ipswich, is a leading contender but The i Paper understands that Perez – a former coach of Iraola’s – is also on the shortlist. If they were to tempt him from Spain it would be a smooth transition given his style and manner are similar to Iraola.
But it’s understood that Lampard, who has led Coventry to the brink of promotion from the Championship, is also in Bournemouth’s thinking. Lampard has family connections to the club, with uncle Harry Redknapp having been manager and Jamie still close to many figures at the club.
McKenna has been a highly sought-after coach for many years, having been coveted by Manchester United prior to the appointment of Ruben Amorim in November 2024.
The Northern Irishman, who learned his trade on the United backroom staff, chose to sign a new contract with Ipswich, only to see his side relegated from the Premier League last season.
McKenna has again turned things around, steering Ipswich to second in the Championship this season, with Saturday’s East Anglia derby win over Norwich putting them within touching distance of another promotion.
Sources close to McKenna have told The i Paper that they see a move to Bournemouth as “the next logical step”, with the opportunity to work with the impressive sporting director Tiago Pinto of particular appeal.
Where next for Iraola?
Iraola does not have a job lined up but the decision to announce his departure now is seen as an attempt to flag his availability to a managerial market where there remains plenty of uncertainty.
Manchester United have Iraola high on their shortlist and he is coveted by Crystal Palace. But sources close to the Spaniard believe he would be a contender at Liverpool and Newcastle if either decide to make a change. Arne Slot and Eddie Howe are under pressure after underperforming this season.
Sources have suggested to The i Paper that Manchester United were close to offering Michael Carrick the permanent role but Iraola’s availability may shift their thinking.
After veteran coach Ernesto Valverde announced he will be leaving Athletic Bilbao at the end of the season, rumours swirled in the Basque Country that Iraola, a club legend as a player, would return home to coach his boyhood team.
Several sources have indicated that Iraola is more likely to stay in England, if the right job presents itself. The 43-year-old has plenty of time to return home at a later date.
Bilbao would welcome Iraola back with open arms. There is a presidential campaign coming up in May, but the current incumbent, Jon Uriarte, is expected to win unopposed. He is understood to want to try to persuade Iraola to return now.
Edin Terzic is the other leading candidate and seen as a more likely appointment.
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