Bournemouth: Kieran McKenna shortlisted but Marco Rose believed frontrunner to replace Andoni Iraola | Soccer News

Marco Rose is believed to be the frontrunner for the Bournemouth job.

Sky Sports News understand the club has a shortlist of three potential successors to Andoni Iraola which also includes Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna.

Bournemouth are reportedly looking to install Iraola’s successor quickly after it was confirmed on Monday he will leave at the end of his contract.

The key name to watch is Rose, who has been available since being sacked by RB Leipzig in March 2025.

Meanwhile, McKenna is still pushing for promotion to the Premier League with Ipswich.

Another name Bournemouth admire is Iraola’s former assistant Inigo Perez, but he is not thought to be on that three-man shortlist at this time.

Iraola took over at the Vitality Stadium in June 2023 following the departure of Gary O’Neil, who led the Cherries to ninth in the Premier League last season and set a new club record points tally.

With Iraola’s contract set to expire in the summer, the club sought to reach terms on a new deal but reluctantly accepted his departure.

“AFC Bournemouth can confirm that head coach Andoni Iraola will leave the club at the end of the 2025/26 season, bringing to an end his successful three-year tenure on the south coast,” read a statement on Tuesday.

Iraola has been linked with a return to former side Athletic Bilbao as well as the Manchester United job.

The news of Iraola’s departure comes just days after a memorable 2-1 win against Premier League leaders Arsenal.

“It has been an honor to manage Bournemouth and I am proud of what we have achieved together,” Iraola said on the club’s website.

“I’m grateful to the players and staff I worked with, as well as (chairman) Bill (Foley), who all made my time here so special.

“As for the fans, you have continued to show your fantastic support to myself and the team, and for that I will always be grateful.

“I feel this is the right moment for me to walk away, but I will always have fantastic memories of this club.”

How do you replace the irreplaceable?

Analysis from Sky Sports News reporter Mark McAdam:

How do you replace the almost irreplaceable? Well, that’s what Bournemouth should do.

In July 2023 when they appointed a relatively unknown coach in Iraola, their first ever foreign manager, no one expected it to go so well.

A solid first season followed by two campaigns that have seen them in the race for Europe is incredible for a club like Bournemouth. He can still lead them into European competition for the first time – and then walk away.

But while he has taken his time to decide his future, the club have been working in the background to find their next head coach and the key name to watch is Rose.

The 49-year-old is available after being sacked by RB Leipzig in March 2025 for underperforming in the league and Champions League. But he has won silverware, and does have Champions League experience.

The pursuit of trophies and Europe is the next step for Bournemouth. The question on the south coast is; can they add a major trophy to the cabinet for the first time in the club’s history?

Rose also fits the bill in regards to his football philosophy, he described the basic ideas of his playing style as “emotion, hunger and being active”.

“We want to be very active against the ball, a lot of sprinting,” he said. “We want to win high balls and have a short path to the goal. We don’t want to play high and wide, but fast, dynamic and active going forward.”

It is a very similar style to Iraola.

The other name on Bournemouth’s list is the highly respected Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna – but the fact that he is in the middle of a promotion push, and a season that could be extended by three weeks by the play-offs, will put obstacles in the way of a swift appointment.

One other name to watch is Iñigo Pérez – Andoni’s former assistant and current Rayo Vallecano boss. He did come to Bournemouth with Iraola but did not stay due to work visa issues.

He is highly respected by the club – but not necessarily on their shortlist this time.

In an ideal world, Bournemouth would like to have this completed in the next week or two – so that planning for next season can begin immediately. They may even have Europe to plan for as well.