Iraola has suitors in Germany

Andoni Iraola will be in the spotlight. Both this coming weekend and immediately afterward. First of all, his Bournemouth side are still in contention for a Champions League place (if they finish sixth and Liverpool overtake Aston Villa, pushing Villa down to fifth). Secondly, after already announcing that he will leave the Cherries, he is set to become one of the most sought-after coaches on the European football market. For some time now, Crystal Palace have been considered favorites in the race for the young Spanish manager’s signature, but according to Britain’s Telegraph, Bayer Leverkusen are also preparing to enter the battle. Now the question is whether Iraola wants to leave the Premier League, where he has settled in quite comfortably.

Want to be Chelsea’s manager? Better get in line

And perhaps the lure of European football will prove decisive. Leverkusen, coached by Kasper Hjulmand since September, though speculation about his departure continues, have secured a place in the Europa League. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are parting ways with Oliver Glasner and are preparing for next week’s Conference League final, while a victory over Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig would return them to European football for the 2026/27 season. However, if they lose, they will miss out on continental competition altogether next year.

Carrick is fine, but United are looking at Iraola too

Iraola still has not announced his decision, and there will likely be more — perhaps even more attractive — offers to come. For now, his focus remains on Sunday’s match against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth’s attempt to reach Europe’s elite competition, although their fate is not entirely in their own hands.

“We are now in a mindset where we probably feel it could happen. What we have to do is control what we can control, and that is our result against Forest. We need to get the result required to finish sixth, and then wait and see whether there is an extra reward” Iraola said.