Report Iraola targeted by Milan last week, Emery also on wish list | OneFootball

Sky Sport Italia claim Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola spoke to Milan over a week ago, so long before they missed out on the Champions League and sacked Max Allegri, with Unai Emery of Aston Villa also on the list.

Multiple sources in Italy and England have said today that Iraola is the top name to take over at San Siro next season, having already declared that he would leave Bournemouth for a new adventure after securing Europa League qualification.

Iraola first on Milan list

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth, applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth at the City Ground on May 24, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

It comes after the Rossoneri sacked coach Allegri, director of sport Igli Tare, CEO Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in one fell swoop.

That was a result of failing to qualify for the Champions League, but Sky Sport Italia transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio now suggests contact with Iraola was already started last week.

This means Milan were making plans to remove Allegri even if he had taken them to the top four finish in Serie A.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

While Iraola is the hot favourite and first choice for RedBird patron Gerry Cardinale, he is not the only name on the list.

Xavi was already mentioned, despite being out of work for two years since leaving Barcelona, but also included according to Sky Sport Italia are Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, ex-Juventus coach Thiago Motta, and Bologna’s Vincenzo Italiano.

Emery is fresh from winning the Europa League yet again, this time on the bench of Aston Villa, while Italiano is linked with Napoli.