Andoni Iraola reaches key decision over future as Man United lurk | OneFootball

Manchester United’s hunt for a new head coach has reportedly taken another sharp turn, with Andoni Iraola set to make an unexpected decision regarding his future this summer.

A Round of Rejections

INEOS are prioritising candidates with Premier League pedigree as they whittle down their list before settling upon a long-term successor to Ruben Amorim – with Michael Carrick having taken the reins as caretaker until the end of the season.

Having been burnt by back-to-back coaches with zero experience in England, one from Portugal and the other from the Netherlands, United’s hierarchy are keen not to fall victim to the same trap.

The club’s primary targets are understood to be Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi, formerly of Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively. Both were interviewed when Erik ten Hag’s position was being assessed in the summer of 2024, though ultimately INEOS decided to stick with the Dutchman.

However, Tuchel has renewed his contract with the England national team, while De Zerbi is understood to favour a switch to Tottenham Hotspur as the “logical step” for his career, having left Olympique Marseille suddenly earlier this month.

Similarly, Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti was another name admired at Old Trafford. But the legendary Italian is set to extend his stay with the Seleção beyond this summer’s World Cup as well.

Oliver Glasner was also under consideration by United, though the Austrian’s public fallout with the Crystal Palace hierarchy is believed to have ruled him out of the running, given the uncomfortable parallel with Amorim’s explosive exit in January.

This would have led to Iraola – AFC Bournemouth’s impressive manager – climbing the Red Devils’ list, simply by virtue of his competitors ruling themselves out of contention. His expiring contract at the Vitality Stadium further strengthened his pull as a candidate.

However, in an unexpected twist, the Spaniard looks set to remain with the Cherries, with TEAMtalk revealing he is “on course to stay put and sign a new deal”.

Staying Put

The report states Bournemouth executives are “growing in confidence” Iraola will “commit his future to the club”, despite interest from sides in the Premier League and LaLiga.

Tottenham Hotspur interviewed him for their head coach role last summer, before settling on the recently dismissed Thomas Frank. They are expected to renew their interest at the end of the season after appointing Igor Tudor as caretaker.

Similarly, Iraola is highly regarded at the Etihad as Manchester City prepare contingency plans should Pep Guardiola leave. Athletic Club are also said to have plans to bring the 43-year-old tactician back to Spain, as he grew up in the Basque region and played for the Bilbao side 508 times.

However, a well-placed source contends the former Spain international will rebuff the lure of his homeland and England’s elite to stick with Bournemouth.

“There’s a real belief that Iraola is buying into the project. The club is showing him that, despite the departures, the ambition is to build something lasting and competitive. The signings and the backing from the board are all part of the plan to keep him at the helm.”

Final Thoughts – Carrick’s position grows

If Iraola rules himself out of United’s grasp, along with four of the other high-ranking targets, the main effect will be to strengthen the case for Carrick to be given the job permanently.

The 44-year-old Englishman has enjoyed a superb start to life as interim coach, with 16 points from a possible 18 – the best record in the division since his arrival.

Carrick was supposed to be a temporary measure to allow INEOS time to source the best candidate to lead the next stage of their revolution at the Theatre of Dreams. But if he continues to lead United in the near-flawless manner he has, they may have no option but to keep him at the helm next season.

Feature image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

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