Andoni Iraola will leave AFC Bournemouth at the end of the 2025/26 season after both parties failed to reach an agreement over a new contract, bringing an end to his three-year spell at the club.
The 43-year-old, who took over in June 2023 following the departure of Gary O’Neil, has informed the club of his decision to step down once his current deal expires, despite Bournemouth’s efforts to retain him. The decision follows extended negotiations that reportedly lasted for over a year.
In a statement, Bournemouth confirmed his exit, saying: “AFC Bournemouth can confirm that head coach, Andoni Iraola, will leave the club at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, bringing an end to his successful three-year tenure on the south coast.”
Iraola departs after leading one of the most successful eras in the club’s recent history. He guided Bournemouth to a ninth-place Premier League finish last season, achieving a club-record 56 points while earning praise for his attacking style of football.
His tenure also saw major squad changes, with key players such as Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi, Dango Ouattara, and Antoine Semenyo leaving for a combined £253 million. Despite this, Bournemouth have remained competitive and are still pushing for European qualification, sitting just two points off seventh place with six games left.
Iraola’s final home match will be against Manchester City on May 17, before he concludes his reign away to Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season.
In his farewell message, he said it had been an honour to manage the club, expressing gratitude to the players, staff, chairman Bill Foley, and the supporters for their backing throughout his stay.
He added that stepping away felt like the right decision and said he would always carry fond memories of his time at Bournemouth.
