Marco Rose: Bournemouth confirm new head coach appointment after Andoni Iraola departure

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Evening Standard

·20 April 2026

Marco Rose: Bournemouth confirm new head coach appointment after Andoni Iraola departure

Cherries move quick to pick Spaniard’s successor

Marco Rose will take over as Bournemouth head coach after Andoni Iraola departs the club this summer.

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Iraola has been at the helm at the Vitality since 2023 but will leave the south coast when his contract expires come the end of this season.

The German has been out of work since leaving RB Leipzig in March 2025, and has previously worked with Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Salzburg. He has no Premier League experience as a player or manager.

A club statement confirming the move insisted full focus remained on finishing this Premier League campaign on form, with the Cherries still in contention to qualify for Europe.

It read: “AFC Bournemouth is delighted to confirm the appointment of Marco Rose as the club’s new head coach on a three-year contract, which will begin following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

“The 49-year-old arrives on the south coast with a wealth of experience at the highest level of European football, having managed Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig.

“The club’s immediate focus remains firmly on finishing the current campaign as strongly as possible, with the players and staff continuing to show full commitment to achieving positive results and building on the current 13-game unbeaten run.”

Rose enjoyed a 16-year playing career before moving into management, winning the 2. Bundesliga with Hannover 96 in 2002.

As a manager, he likes to employ a diamond midfield and a back-four.

He will have big shoes to fill, though, after Iraola’s hugely successful tenure at the Vitality Stadium. It remains unclear where the Spaniard will move after leaving Bournemouth.