Leeds United have suffered a blow in their pursuit of a new manager with Andoni Iraola taking over from Gary O’Neil at Premier League AFC Bournemouth.
The Championship fixtures are due to be released later this week. And the Leeds United supporters still have no idea who will be leading them out at Elland Road next term.
Any lingering hopes that Brendan Rodgers could be lured to the second tier went up in smoke on Monday. The Northern Irishman officially confirmed back at Celtic. Graham Potter appears to have little interest in taking Championship job either.
Scott Parker and Daniel Farke remain in contention however. Both have two promotions apiece from England’s second-tier on their CVs after all. Carlos Carvalhal, a play-off finalist with Sheffield Wednesday, has also been linked.
One man who will not be on his way, however, is Andoni Iraola.
Leeds United miss out as AFC Bournemouth hire Andoni Iraola
Iraola’s Rayo Vallecano contract will expire at the end of this month.
According to Marca, the 40-year-old former Spain international was a leading candidate to take over at Rayo’s La Liga rivals UD Almeria. Though those rumours were scotched after Vincente Moreno took over instead.
Though Iraola did not have to wait long for another opportunity to present itself. Following the shock departure of Gary O’Neil on Monday, Bournemouth needed only a few short hours to confirm Iraola as his replacement.
“We’re so excited to welcome Andoni to the club,” smiles Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley. “With his contract in Spain coming to an end this summer we wanted to act quickly.
“He was highly sought after by other clubs across the continent, and his style of play has been an important factor in making this decision. His achievements in Spain have certainly been very impressive, and we’re confident that he is the right man to lead our next chapter.
“We have identified a number of targets in the transfer market, which along with our January additions will supplement our strong playing squad to give Andoni the best chance to consolidate our Premier League status and keep progressing.”
‘We’re so excited’
Iraola was initially at the top of Leeds’ wishlist to replace Jesse Marsch back in February; the 40-year-old a coach who learned his ‘incredible brand’ of high-octane football from Marcelo Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao.
“I was really pleased that (Leeds) thought of me as an option to coach there,” Iraola told Sky Sports, referring back to those discussions in the spring.“I talked to Rayo Vallecano, who obviously were the ones who had to make the decision, and I understood also that Rayo wanted to continue with me”
“It was a very open decision. We talked to the club. Leeds were also very open with Rayo Vallecano. We talked for one day. (I thought) ‘OK, it’s not the moment. It’s over.’
“I am very pleased that they thought of me as an option, but I am also very happy here working for Rayo Vallecano.”
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