Andoni Iraola in advanced talks with European club despite Liverpool links
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Andoni Iraola has been linked with several high-profile managerial roles this summer. Image Credits: Imago ImagesAndoni Iraola has been linked with several high-profile managerial roles this summer since his Bournemouth departure was confirmed.The 43-year-old has attracted interest from a number of clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea, though both have since moved in different directions.While Liverpool are not planning to part company with Arne Slot, reports claim the former Bournemouth boss has two preferred destinations.Iraola has reportedly held talks with AC Milan, but discussions with the Serie A side have broken down due to his reservations about taking charge at the San Siro.Crystal Palace are also interested following Oliver Glasner’s departure, with the club preparing for Europa League football after their Europa Conference League success.Iraola is open to a move to Bayer Leverkusen, and the Spaniard is also interested in the Liverpool job.
Despite the interest, Liverpool are expected to stick with Slot after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign, having won the Premier League title in his debut season.According to talkSPORT, Bayer Leverkusen are in advanced talks to appoint Iraola as their next manager. The Bundesliga side are preparing to replace Kasper Hjulmand this summer.After succeeding former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag in September, Hjulmand guided the team to a sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga, securing Europa League qualification.Leverkusen could also face Bournemouth in the Europa League league phase, setting up a potential reunion with Iraola.The German club reached the Europa League final as recently as 2024 but were beaten by Atalanta, while their last European triumph came in 1988 when they won the UEFA Cup against Espanyol.Iraola’s departure from Bournemouth after three years in charge was confirmed in April, with the club appointing Marco Rose as his replacement ahead of next season.Rose has signed a three-year deal at the Vitality Stadium after leaving RB Leipzig in March 2025, where he won the DFB-Pokal and previously managed Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach and RB Salzburg.His appointment follows Bournemouth’s sixth-place finish in the Premier League – the highest in the club’s 127-year history – securing qualification for European competition for the first time, with the Cherries set to compete in next season’s Europa League.
Andoni Iraola Bayer Leverkusen