Andoni Iraola prefers this top job next season amid United’s interest | OneFootball

Manchester United plan to install a new permanent head coach at the end of the season.

Following Ruben Amorim’s sacking, the Red Devils chose to bring in a caretaker until the end of the campaign, with Michael Carrick edging out Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the race.

The legendary midfielder has started with a bang, winning both his games so far, and should he guide United back to the Champions League, there is no reason why he cannot be among the contenders for the permanent post.

But for now, INEOS are eyeing different managers, with Premier League experience seen as a must-have in potential candidates.

Andoni Iraola has impressed INEOS

One manager who has impressed the INEOS hierarchy is Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth. Under the Spaniard, the Cherries finished ninth last season, catching everyone’s eye with their attractive brand of football.

The only catch? The 43-year-old prefers a return to former club Athletic Club over a move to the 20-time English league champions.

As per SportsBoom, “Andoni Iraola is being considered as Manchester United’s next permanent manager, but could turn his back on the Premier League to make a sensational return to Spain, SportsBoom can reveal.

“Iraola has worked wonders with the South Coast club since being appointed in June 2023 to replace Gary O’Neil, taking the Cherries to ninth last season.

“His body of work, underlined by last Saturday’s stunning 3-2 win over reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, has seen him touted for more prestigious top flight jobs.

His preference will be music to Carrick’s ears

“And while a new contract offer to keep him at the Vitality Stadium beyond the end of the current campaign remains unsigned, speculation is rife as to where we will manager next term.

“Our sources have been told the 43-year-old, who arrived at Bournemouth via AEK Larnaca in Cyprus and Rayo Vallecano in Spain, is being considered to succeed Ernesto Valverde at Athletic Bilbao.”

There is a new contract offer on the table from Bournemouth, while Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace are also eyeing the former Basque midfielder.

With Andoni Iraola seemingly out of the way, and the likes of Roberto de Zerbi and Oliver Glasner disqualified due to their preference for three at the back, Carrick‘s case for the job is just getting stronger.

Feature image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

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