Andoni Iraola could turn down Tottenham switch

Andoni Iraola might snub a move to Tottenham Hotspur and instead remain with Bournemouth for at least another season.

According to a report by Give Me Sport, Andoni Iraola is the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites are scouring the market for a manager amid uncertainties surrounding Ange Postecoglou’s long-term future. However, the Bournemouth manager could snub the North London outfit to remain with the Premier League club for at least another season.

Andoni Iraola and his exploits in the Premier League

Andoni Iraola has established himself as one of the best managers in the Premier League since joining Bournemouth nearly two years ago. The English top flight has witnessed an influx of young and promising tacticians in the last half a decade, and the Spaniard has added to that group.

The 42-year-old brought Bournemouth to the cusp of sealing a top-half finish in his debut season at the Vitality Stadium, and the Cherries will likely finish in the top ten this term. Iraola’s men are eighth in the standings, with fifth-placed Manchester City seven points ahead, giving the Cherries an outside chance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

So, it is hardly surprising that the Spanish tactician has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe with his exploits for Bournemouth. Widespread reports have linked Iraola with Manchester City. However, Tottenham Hotspur will aim to beat the competition to his signature in the summer.

London calling?

Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Andoni Iraola is understandable. Ange Postecoglou is in a spot of bother after a horrendous 2024/25 campaign. Tottenham Hotspur will unlikely seal a top-half finish, with European qualification hinging on winning the UEFA Europa League this season.

So, it is hardly surprising that the Lilywhites are exploring the managerial market, with Iraola emerging as a top target. However, the 42-year-old Spaniard might snub Tottenham Hotspur amid Bournemouth’s endeavour to tie him to a new long-term contract.

The Cherries envision a long-term future with Iraola, and it is hardly surprising that they want to tie him to a new contract. It will be interesting to see who becomes Tottenham’s top managerial target amid uncertainties surrounding Ange Postecoglou’s long-term future.

Why Bournemouth are convinced Andoni Iraola doesn’t want to join Tottenham

The Spaniard is already planning for next season despite speculation about his future

Bournemouth expect Andoni Iraola to stay for at least another season and resist any overtures from Tottenham Hotspur if they decide to sack Ange Postecoglou.

Iraola is understood to figure prominently in Tottenham’s thinking if they decide to fire Postecoglou, who is relying on the Europa League to save a desperately disappointing season.

But the idea that they will be able to prise Iraola from Bournemouth appears fanciful, given both his nature and the scale of the project that is underway on the south coast.

It is understood that Iraola has already begun planning for next season at the Vitality Stadium and appears “all in” at Bournemouth at the moment, where owner Bill Foley has funded a state-of-the-art training ground that opened last month and is close to bringing a Portuguese side into the multi-club project that he hopes will maintain the impressive progress made over the last 12 months.

The Cherries have been one of the surprise packages of the season, but insiders say there is a determination to prove it is no flash in the pan, and that ambition has been stressed to Iraola in positive recent meetings.

Those who know Iraola also describe him as “uniquely focused” on the role at hand and not a manager prone to keeping one eye on possible job opportunities.

He has a year left on his contract and there is a belief that he will stay for at least that, especially with European qualification a possibility in 2025-26.

Iraola has shown in the past that he will carefully select the right roles, turning down a mid-season move to Leeds United in 2023 because he didn’t believe the timing was right and didn’t want to ruin his reputation at Rayo Vallecano.

Having been appointed and then backed by Bournemouth, there is a feeling that he will remain loyal for another year.

The theory is that at that point he may be able to get his pick of roles – or renew with Bournemouth.

Tottenham would appear to present less of an attractive possibility given the internal conflicts at the club and ownership issues that are rumbling in the background.

The i Paper has been told that interest from Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) has not gone away, with some senior figures in football of the belief that it is undermining future planning at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

They have lost 17 out of 32 games this season, languish in 15th place and appear in dire need of a substantial rebuilding job in the summer.