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A Basque tactician appears poised to take charge at Bayer Leverkusen – unless Liverpool act first. In just three years, Andoni Iraola has transformed himself into one of the most coveted managers in world football. But how did he reach such heights?

“Who the f*** is this guy?” Andoni Iraola joked self-deprecatingly on 19 May 2026 as he addressed fans at the intimate Vitality Stadium. His Bournemouth side had just delivered Arsenal the Premier League title with a 1–1 draw against Manchester City. More importantly, Iraola and his players had written a new chapter in AFC Bournemouth’s history. At 43, the Basque coach had been the driving force behind their rise – a mentor, crisis handler and role model all in one.

But all good things come to an end. That was Iraola’s penultimate game as Bournemouth boss, having earlier confirmed he would not renew his contract after three seasons on England’s south coast. With Bundesliga veteran Marco Rose expected to succeed him, Iraola has been heavily linked to several clubs in recent weeks, including AC Milan and newly crowned Conference League champions Crystal Palace.

However, reports from German outlet kicker suggest Bayer Leverkusen are currently leading the race for his signature. Iraola’s football philosophy mirrors that of club legend Xabi Alonso, though uncertainties remain. Chief among them is whether he will even reach the Rhineland, as Liverpool’s sudden separation from Arne Slot has reportedly put Iraola on the Merseyside club’s radar. Multiple media outlets claim Iraola is Liverpool’s top choice, leaving Leverkusen at risk of losing out once again in their managerial hunt.

His growing reputation is no surprise. “It’s been a hell of a ride,” Iraola told supporters over the PA system that May evening. “Today sums up the season and my three years here perfectly. It’s all part of a journey, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Unbeaten since January, Bournemouth climbed from 15th to 6th in the Premier League standings.

When Iraola arrived from Rayo Vallecano in the summer of 2023, the start was disastrous: no victories in the first nine games, six of them defeats, and a clear disconnect between the new coach and his squad.

“When I came here, you must have wondered, ‘Who on earth is this bloke?’” Iraola laughed. “But now we’re in the Europa League, and maybe we can push for even more next weekend.”

Although they narrowly missed a Champions League spot, finishing sixth secured Bournemouth’s first-ever European qualification – an incredible feat for a club that, just 15 years earlier, had battled relegation from England’s fourth tier while facing a 17-point deduction.

From 3 January, after a 2–3 defeat to Arsenal, until the end of the season, Bournemouth went 18 matches unbeaten, soaring from 15th into the Premier League’s top six.

PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Liverpool have all shown interest in signing Bournemouth players.

From finishing 12th in his first year, 9th in his second, and 6th in his third, Iraola’s consistent progress with Bournemouth deserves high praise. In 2025, he lost key figures such as goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and striker Dominic Solanke. The next summer saw an even greater exodus, yet Iraola and his team refused to crumble.

That summer, three-quarters of the defence departed – Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez joined Real Madrid, PSG and Liverpool respectively. Versatile forward Dango Outtara moved to Brentford. Then in the winter, star attacker Antoine Semenyo left for Manchester City, and Bournemouth found themselves near the bottom of the table. But what followed was the stuff of legend.

Iraola rebuilt the back four and turned to youth. Two 19-year-olds, Junior Kroupi and Rayan, injected new life into the attack. Rayan, a January arrival from Brazil, immediately filled Semenyo’s void and has now earned a call-up to the World Cup squad of the reigning champions.

French Under-21 international Kroupi netted 13 goals in his debut Premier League campaign, having previously fired FC Lorient to promotion with 22 goals in France’s second division. He is now tipped to be Bournemouth’s next big-money departure, with Bayern Munich reportedly interested.

Iraola’s trademark: relentless pressing and counter-pressing

Iraola is a natural communicator and an excellent teacher of the game. A former top-tier right-back who made over 500 appearances for Athletic Bilbao and represented Spain, he has a clear tactical identity and demands unwavering focus and physical intensity from his players. The consistent success of his methods, regardless of personnel, validates his approach.

Under his guidance, Bournemouth evolved into a high-pressing unit determined to win the ball high and strike swiftly. Mid-April statistics from The Athletic highlighted their efficiency: since his appointment, Bournemouth had generated the most shots following recoveries in the final third.

According to Opta, the Cherries posted a PPDA (passes per defensive action) of 11.1 – bettered only by four teams – ranking them among the league’s pressing elite.

His defensive structure and tactical discipline draw comparisons to Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen and Mikel Arteta’s title-winning Arsenal, though Iraola has so far worked with less-fancied sides.

He has yet to prove his teams can regularly unlock deep, compact defences – a test he would face both at Liverpool and in the Bundesliga. Breaking down cautious opponents requires patience, composure, and creativity – all vital in a league full of teams defending in a 5-4-1 setup.

Shared roots with Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta: grounded and intelligent

At Liverpool or Leverkusen, Iraola would encounter a level of individual talent he has never managed before – elite players capable of expanding his tactical horizons far beyond what Bournemouth’s resources allowed.

In Leverkusen, the expectations would be clear. After struggles with Erik ten Hag and Kasper Hjulmand, the club wants a manager who can instil a recognisable playing style and nurture young talent into stars – much like Xabi Alonso did. Iraola and Alonso share more than Basque heritage; both came through Antiguoko, a youth club in San Sebastian, as did Mikel Arteta.

Across the Basque Country, teamwork and humility are ingrained values, as former teammate Jon Ayerbe explained to the English press. “There’s a strong culture of collective effort,” he said. “No one tries to outshine others. You can see it in both Xabi and Andoni – they’re calm, intelligent, and completely unpretentious.”

Why Iraola chose to leave Bournemouth remains uncertain, though it likely aligns with a career plan that has seen him spend three years in La Liga and three in the Premier League, now ready for a new challenge. “The decision gave me sleepless nights,” he admitted. “But once I made up my mind, I felt relieved – and that helped me enjoy my final months here. I’m so proud to have given something back to this club and these players.”

One thing is sure: whether his next chapter unfolds at Liverpool, Leverkusen or elsewhere, no one will be asking, “Who on earth is this bloke?” Andoni Iraola’s name is already etched among Europe’s finest coaches.

Andoni Iraola: Major Career Milestones

Club

Period

Matches

W/L/D

Points per game

AFC Bournemouth – 2023–2026 – 127 – 48/38/41 – 1.43

Rayo Vallecano – 2020–2023 – 136 – 56/30/50 – 1.46

CD Mirandes – 2019–2020 – 49 – 18/17/14 – 1.45

AEK Larnaca – 2018–2019 – 29 – 13/8/8 – 1.62