Andoni Iraola clarifies managerial future

Andoni Iraola has been linked with a move to Manchester United as the club strives to find its next permanent manager after the sacking of Ruben Amorim.

Michael Carrick currently holds the position on a caretaker basis, but, with seven games of the Premier League season remaining, attention has began to switch towards the decision of who will follow.

Iraola has been with Bournemouth for nearly three years with an average of 1.4 points per game and 44 wins in 120 games.

The Spaniard guided the Cherries to a high of ninth place last season in the league, seeing the club close to qualification for Europe.

Links to Manchester United have also been overshadowed recently by the imminent departure of Ernesto Valverde from Athletic Bilbao.

With links made between Andoni Iraola and other clubs, the manager has chosen to clarify his future.

Speaking to the media after his side’s draw with United on Friday evening, Iraola stated: “It affects me probably as a supporter because, I support this club.

“Obviously I’ve been playing there for a lot of years and has been a surprise also for me. I have a lot of friends there, and in your group, you see the news and they send you their messages.

“And I can only speak very well. It’s my biggest reference in football, Ernesto. So it’s a decision that he has made, but it’s not affecting me apart from the supporter side, let’s say.”

He went onto add: “I think there are situations that I said a lot of times, we have to discuss with the club internally, but it’s not about any other club, it’s about Bournemouth, and these are the only discussions that we are having.”

With this clarification made, it appears that Iraola is aiming to steer clear of the links made and is instead focused on his operations at Bournemouth as the Cherries aim for a strong finish to the season.