Iraola says Rose appointment will leave Bournemouth in 'very good hands'
Former Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose to take over at Bournemouth at end of season
Quick Look
- Andoni Iraola has backed Marco Rose to succeed him at Bournemouth, saying the club will be 'in very good hands' when the former Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig boss takes over at the end of the season.
- Rose, 49, who was sacked by Leipzig in March 2025, has won the Austrian Bundesliga twice with Red Bull Salzburg and the German Cup with Leipzig.
- Iraola, whose contract expires this summer, is on the verge of delivering European football for the first time in Bournemouth's history.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Andoni Iraola has been Bournemouth manager since 2023 and has transformed the club's fortunes, taking them from relegation battlers to European contenders. His 13-game unbeaten run has put Bournemouth in contention for historic European qualification.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola says the appointment of Marco Rose to replace him in the summer will leave the club "in very good hands".
Former Borussia Dortmund boss Rose, 49, will take over at the end of the season when Iraola's contract expires. Rose has been without a club since he was sacked by RB Leipzig in March 2025 and has not previously managed in England.
He led Red Bull Salzburg to two Austrian Bundesliga titles and the Austrian Cup, and won the German Cup and German Super Cup with Leipzig. Rose was also one of the candidates considered by Tottenham Hotspur after the sacking of Thomas Frank in February.
Iraola said: "I think the club will be in very good hands. He's a great manager.
"I praised him a few years ago, I always liked his teams and I hope he continues that.
"He's a good manager with a lot of European experience. He looks very exciting. I don't know him personally but I always like his teams.
"They should be happy because he's someone who can definitely improve the team. I'm sure the players are happy they know what's happening."
Iraola has guided the Cherries to a 13-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and they are eighth before facing Leeds on Wednesday. He could deliver European football for the first time in Bournemouth's history before departing.
His next job is not yet known.
"We are in a good place in the standings but it's going to be so difficult for us," Iraola said. "We are competing against not one or two but a lot of teams."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Bournemouth will qualify for European football for the first time in their history
Possible · Within weeks
Iraola will secure a new managerial role elsewhere
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Where will Iraola manage next season?
- Will Rose be successful in English football?
- Can Bournemouth qualify for Europe?
