Is now the opportunity? Should Everton go for Iraola? | OneFootball

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Sometimes, you don’t change because things are going badly. You make a change because there’s an opportunity to be better.

From the outside, few would think David Moyes should be facing any scrutiny or questions over his position as Everton manager.

Since Moyes took charge for his second stint at Everton in January of last year, the Toffees have accrued 80 points from 55 games — the ninth-most in the Premier League in that time.

Moyes has had to oversee leaving Goodison Park, the start of a rebuild (which will need longer than one summer transfer window), and the move to a new stadium.

All the while, he has made Everton competitive again. They have now surpassed their points tally from last season, and could yet add seven onto that total, should they win their last two matches.

But that does not tell the whole story.

While I do not think there can be any reason to move on from Moyes due to points tallies, or the results in general, there are other factors to consider.

Moyes is heading into the final year of his contract. That does not have to be an issue, as such, but it does begin to raise questions over the club’s longer term plans.

At 63, is Moyes really the manager that Everton’s ownership — and the CEO they have put in place, Angus Kinnear — see taking the Toffees forward?

Then, there is Moyes’s use of the squad, and in particular, the new signings from last summer. Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were instant hits, but of the other recruits, discounting the two back-up goalkeepers, all of whom were signed when they were aged 23 or under, only Thierno Barry has seen significant game time.

I do not see the huge rush for some of those players, but that does not mean Moyes has done a good enough job in managing his squad, keeping players fresh, or giving the younger players more time on the pitch. A few things can be true at once, and that is the case here.

Moyes has made it clear all season: He wants Europe. Ultimately, if Everton fail to hit that aim, that will be on him and the players as much as anybody, for their failings in recent weeks. However, as I have written in other pieces, there should also be a recognition that the club elected against pushing the boat out for signings in the winter transfer window.

While we can all be disappointed at how the end of the season is turning out, there has been progress. But sometimes, changing from a position of strength can be the right option, especially if there is an opportunity — the kind that may not come around again soon.

Andoni Iraola has worked wonders at Bournemouth. After a tough start to his tenure in 2023-24, there is a very real possibility that the Spaniard will leave the Vitality Stadium at the end of the season, having taken the Cherries into Europe. It could be even better — if they finish 6th, and Aston Villa were to finish 5th and win the Europa League, Bournemouth would be a Champions League team next season.

It would be a hell of a legacy for Iraola to leave.

He has been linked with both the Manchester United and Chelsea jobs, but it is Crystal Palace who have made their move. They want Iraola to succeed Oliver Glasner.

So, the question is, should Everton be in the mix?

According to the ever reliable Bobble, on A View From The Bullens, Iraola would be open to holding talks with Everton, should they show an interest.

The stars have not quite aligned, as it would be incredibly harsh, and likely quite risky, to move away from Moyes now. It would also be expensive.

But can you look a gift horse in the mouth, and turn it away?

Moyes has done nothing to deserve the sack. He has done a very good job. But Iraola is potentially a world class, long-term coach. One that could well fit into the vision TFG seemingly has for Everton.

There has been an onus on recruiting younger players, and Iraola, unlike Moyes, is much more willing to trust youth.

Moyes is of course willing to play younger players too, but he does keep them on a shorter leash and is more ruthless when they make mistakes. Look at Dwight McNeil, James Tarkowski and Micheal Keane — playing time and time again despite numerous poor performances. It’s fair to say Moyes is stuck in his ways and isn’t going to change in that regard.

Iraola is certainly a bit less pragmatic than Moyes, but a look at the expected goals against (xGA) statistics, via Opta Analyst, show that Everton actually are slightly worse than Bournemouth, who are significantly better than the Toffees going the other way.

Making Iraola’s achievements even more impressive is the squad churn at Bournemouth. Last summer, the Cherries sold their two first-choice centre-backs, to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, respectively, no less, and then they sold attacking talisman Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in January.

Since Semenyo’s departure, Bournemouth have not lost a game in the Premier League. They are on a 16-match unbeaten streak; it’s extraordinary.

Now, Iraola’s team did go on a 10-game winless run before that, but then before that, they went nine unbeaten.

Bournemouth are by no means an amazing team; they have their flaws. And there is a world of difference between managing a club the size of the Cherries, and then stepping up to Everton. The pressure and expectations are totally different.

I am not for one second saying Everton should take the gamble. The squad is still in need of a rebuild and throwing a new manager into the mix now is not a guaranteed recipe for success, especially with how swiftly the tide can turn in the Premier League. I would be perfectly happy for Moyes to stay in charge for the remainder of his contract, and possibly even earn another year’s extension.

But, if Everton did decide to be opportunistic at this unique moment when a potentially much more dynamic manager is coming available, then there is certainly logic to it.

This is a good question, Patric. You suggest he could be a long-term manager but that raises the obvious question: why is he leaving Bournemouth?

Andoni Iraola is leaving Bournemouth at the end of the 2025-26 season because his contract is expiring and he decided it was the "right moment" to end his 3-year tenure, aiming to leave while the team is in a strong position. He sought a new challenge after feeling it was time to move on, rather than risking a fourth season of diminishing returns.

If that's true, sounds a lot like he's a glory hunter at heart and wants a 'big club' -- which we were once but arguably that status has been systematically eroded by Kenwright & Moyes with their 'plucky little Everton' bullshit.

But one thing Everton have been happy to do is pay their managers vast sums of money -- way beyond their status in the game (with the exception of Ancelotti) -- and moey talks as we know../

4 Posted 13/05/2026 at 10:27:39

More context...

Asked why he had decided to leave Bournemouth at the end of his third season at Vitality Stadium, Iraola said: “It has been a decision that has taken me a lot of time to take. “It has not been a clear decision. Always during this process, this season, I've been talking to the club about the situation. “They were very aware that this could happen and there is not always one main reason. “I think the decision I've taken is because probably I don't want to risk the feeling I have right now of pride and satisfaction of these three seasons. “And you try to envisage yourself in a possible fourth season, in a possible fifth season. Everything costs more. “We, as human beings, get tired of always watching the same faces. And I suppose I've decided that this was the right moment to put an end to this journey that for me has been really, really special. “The club is in a great place. I have things in this club that I will not find anywhere else. I come to work every day with a smile and this is very valuable for me. “But as managers, you learn because you have experience as a player, you've had a lot of managers, you have to choose very well when to start, where to start, when to end things. “And it's not a decision that I had super-clear. Sometimes, I've been thinking, ‘oh, I definitely am continuing here'. Other times ‘I'm not continuing here'. It's a matter of feeling. “There is a moment where you have to take a decision. And this is the decision I've taken. “I suppose I prefer to make the mistake of ‘maybe I could have stayed one year more', but I don't want to make the mistake of ‘it was one year too much' and there is a small margin that you are playing with and this is what it is.”

Pete Hughes 5 Posted 13/05/2026 at 10:49:04

Yes, in a heartbeat.

Brian Harrison 6 Posted 13/05/2026 at 10:49:12

I think he is a terrific manager and I really like the ways his team plays. I don't quite know why he made the decision so early; had he waited, it looks like his team could qualify for the Champions League.

There are obviously plenty of rumours as to where he might be going, many saying he is going back to the club where he spent 12 years: Athletic Bilbao. Other rumours have suggested Chelsea or Crystal Palace... I don't think he would fancy either.

I know him and Moyes went out to dinner when both clubs were in America for pre-season. I wonder, would Moyes move upstairs and let Iriola take over the first team? I have said for a while we need someone to oversee our whole coaching set-up from the youngsters right up to the U21s. I think Moyes would be perfect for that job.

But I think the deal for Iriola is already done... and alas, I don't think that deal includes Everton.

Jim Bennings 7 Posted 13/05/2026 at 10:52:55

I'm not an anti-Moyes type fan, he's done a steady job for this club since he took over from Dyche and he is a far superior manager than Sean Dyche.

We can't however get ourselves into this mindset that any kind of change going forward now is bad for the club.

We have become a fanbase that is always thinking of the catastrophic worst-case scenario, we have become that mentally scarred by relegation battles over the years that many just want to feel a constant comfort blanket.

The new stadium should really be signalling now the birth of a new 21st Century Everton Football Club and should be the dawn of a new era.

This club has been to one Cup Final in 31 years, for heaven's sakes, is that really the standard we want now?

Paul Hewitt 9 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:03:36

Apparently he only wants to stay in the Premier League so I'd say we'd have a good chance of getting him.

None of the big clubs are looking for a manager apart from Chelsea who want Alonso. After that, I can only think of Crystal Palace looking to replace Glasner (who is my Number 1 choice).

John Collins 10 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:04:41

"I have said for a while we need someone to oversee our whole coaching set-up from the youngsters right up to the U21s. I think Moyes would be perfect for that job"

He doesn't generally have much contact with anyone under 21, Brian.

Michael Kenrick 11 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:11:01

He doesn't generally have much contact with anyone under 21.

Are you sure, John?

My source at Finch Farm says it's almost a daily occurrence that U21 players are knocking on his door and asking him if they can get a name.

Trouble is, doesn't matter who they are or how good they are, he always says No.

Mark Steers 12 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:11:27

The main question: Is Moyes the manager to make us into a club going for trophies and really pushing on?

Answer: I don't think so... he just never talks like a winner. He knows how to survive... but is that all Everton fans want? I hope not!

I've worked with big stars in sport and the difference in winners and people who are content with making a good living is there for all to see.

Sadly, Moyes has too much scar tissue to take us forward... so what options do we have?

Merle Urquart 13 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:11:42

I would have thought he has given notice to Bournemouth purely on the basis that overtures have been made to him by another club or clubs. l thought that one of them may have been Bilbao, but l think that door is shut now.

There's a few young managers out there -- we all know who they are -- who look like they're going places... We'll likely crack on with our thumb up our arse!

Dave Abrahams 14 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:12:44

Andoni Iraola Sagarna to give him his full Spanish name, yes I looked that up, has been a manager for eight years first in Cyprus, he spent three years with Rayo Vallecano in Spain, got them promotion, they wanted him to continue there but left when his contract was up, Leeds wanted while he was manager of Rayo Vallecano but he joined Bournemouth and has done well there, he is obviously ambitious and is moving on while his stock is high, could be one reason, or maybe he knows and believes in his talent and if he joins Everton and improves them he will be in demand again.

Let’s see how it turns out, I wouldn’t be against Iraola who is well regarded by many people in the game including the Man. City manager, and his ambition and talent could benefit the Blues and especially us fans who want to see more entertainment than is being provided by the present manager and his coaches.

John Gall 15 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:23:24

Some serious deluded thinking going on here. Some facts : 1. Everton have been poor for almost 40 years. We were nearly relegated on four occasions. We are no longer elite, despite a glitzy new stadium which flatters to deceive. We can no longer attract the very best players which you need to win trophies. 2. Incompetent as Kenwright was, he was at least visible and motivated. The new owners are invisible, are yielding minimal funds, and just view the club as an asset on the balance sheet. 3. West Ham fans felt the same way about Moyes as many on here do. Look at them now. 4. As hard as it is to hear, why would Iraola move from Bournemouth, a well-run club that perpectually over-achieves, to Everton, a dubiously-run club that perpectually under-achieves? He'd be sacked within a year. 5. Moyes will not see Everton relegated, his natural caution will allow the club to slowly grow and develop. Next season I think he'll get us into Europe which will help us attract better players. We need a slow, steady, incremental growth. There's too much of this short-termism - sacking managers, sacking prime-ministers, change, change, try-again etc... The culture of game shows/Traitors/Celebrities in the jungle has permeated the way people think. Kendall needed years to get there, so did Ferguson. Hang on in there.

Ian Bennett 16 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:25:24

I am surprised that other clubs, other than Palace or Everton aren't being linked.

Mick Springstein 17 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:27:42

FAO John Gall

Moyes isn't in the early part of his managerial career and probably hasn't the energy or inclination to see himself still managing Everton in ten years time. We didn't actually win anything under him the first time either but he's a damn good manager and nobody can take away his record of moulding battle hardened groups of players who give everything. The amount of unfair decisions that have cost us this season add up to a European place but the squad we have is so average in certain areas that the notion of a European charge seems so short lived like the prospect of an FA Cup or winning the league. Yeah we might get in it, but with the squad we have were not winning anything. Not having the presence of owners to stick two fingers up to after bad games isn't really on our list of priorities or theirs I imagine.

Keith Gleave 18 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:29:07

I understand what’s been said by all on here and can’t argue with it. The worry to me is in the words used in iriolas departure letter. After three years you get sick of the same faces. This doesn’t sound to me like a manager who is there for a long tenure. He seems like a climber who wants to reach the summit, nothing wrong with that, but it likely leaves you looking for a new manager in three years time again. The more interesting fact is, we have seen these managers do very well with so called lesser teams. When they move to the big teams, they crash and burn. Making smaller steps is the correct way to do it, but of course the opportunity may never come along again.

Mick Springstein 19 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:35:07

Moyes was very much brought out of semi retirement to lead Everton to safety and he has certainly done that and then some. He must be questioning how much he can actually do within that 2 season window having seen the clubs Champions League aspirations stolen away by Iraola and his depressingly impressive Bournemouth team. Can he cope with another season of mediocrity mixed with fortunes stolen from us by officials. From that happy retirement back into this, can he really be that bothered to stay on? Either way, the club should be speaking with Iraola now when he's available. I imagine that trying to coax him away from a club in 12 months time would be expensive.

Paul Hewitt 20 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:37:11

Id say Ireola has a job already lined up. Why spend 3 years at a club building it up and getting it on the verge of Champions League football to just leave. Doesn't make sense..

Gary Borrows 21 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:39:52

I haven’t read the comments but here’s mine for what it’s worth I would go for Ireola in a heartbeat Unfortunately the 30% of Moysie has got too large to ignore with several what appear to be easy fixes ignored over the last several games apart from Chelsea we need a more dynamic manager a lot of the answers are in the squad already but don’t get utilised

Sean Mitchell 22 Posted 13/05/2026 at 11:46:17

Yes.

Look at Bournemouth and their position. 15 or so games unbeaten (could be more). Quality players. Not centre backs playing at right back or safety first crap. Positive press conferences instead of the usual dumbing down. (I can’t watch Moyes in his pressers)

Daniel the absent won’t have even considered a change. Mid table ‘stability’ is achieved. Rinse and repeat next season.

Tony Abrahams 23 Posted 13/05/2026 at 12:06:27

I’m not sure about Iraelo, but it sounds like he feels like Sean Dyche, and doesn’t think he can do anymore to take the club forward?

It’s great selling players and making money but if that’s the prime reason for existing, then of course you would get tired of seeing the same faces, who keep taking away your best players!

Mark Murphy 24 Posted 13/05/2026 at 12:08:16

The bobble says “WOULD be open to holding talks with Everton, SHOULD they show an interest. “ Is a very different statement to “IS open to talks AND Everton ARE interested” Does Bobble have info of the latter or is it just supposition?