'No idea at all': Andoni Iraola reflects on uncertainty after Bournemouth departure

Andoni Iraola, who stepped in for Gary O'Neil back in 2023, made it public on Tuesday that he plans to move on from the club on the south coast once the current season wraps up. The Cherries sit in 11th spot in the league with 45 points, having secured a win against the table-topping Arsenal on the road just last weekend.

The 43 year old Spaniard remarked on Friday, before the Premier League fixture against Newcastle United: "I have no idea. I'm not sure if I'll take up a coaching role next season. There's no pressure on me to figure it out straight away."

"This was our choice, and it wasn't swayed by approaches from any other team."

During the prior campaign, Iraola led Bournemouth to their equal highest position in the top division, finishing ninth and collecting a club record 56 points in the Premier League.

Iraola mentioned that the club went all out to hold onto him, including tabling an official offer to prolong his deal in December.

"I opened up about how I felt. They knew I'd been thinking ahead. It wasn't a bolt from the blue," Iraola explained. "The time I've spent here over these seasons has left me so pleased, I hardly want to put that at risk."

"I'm full of vigour, not drained at all, and even more driven to see out this season on a strong note. But you sometimes need to pick the right time to depart from a place."

He owned up to the difficulty in breaking the news to his colleagues, yet stressed his desire to bow out triumphantly as the team pushes for a European place.

His squad has gone 12 Premier League games without a loss and is just three points off sixth placed Chelsea.

"It's fair to say that telling some of the staff, after three years together, was really hard because of the deep respect we share," Iraola stated.

"Certain folks might not get why I'm doing this, but we have two months still to spend as a group, make the most of it and build some great recollections."

Sky Sports has indicated that Marco Rose, the boss at RB Leipzig, has struck a deal with Bournemouth to succeed Iraola.