Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez has reportedly turned down approaches from Nottingham Forest and Wolves after continuing Andoni Iraola’s success at the Spanish club. The Cherries appointed Iraola in 2023 after an impressive spell with Rayo, and their Premier League rivals are seemingly keen to copy Bournemouth’s blueprint.

Perez served as Iraola’s assistant at the Madrid club for three seasons. During Iraola’s reign, Rayo achieved promotion to La Liga in 2021 before finishing 12th and 11th in subsequent campaigns.

While Iraola has earned numerous plaudits for his work in English football, Perez initially turned down the opportunity to be his successor at Rayo. Instead, the 37-year-old intended to be Iraola’s assistant at the Cherries, but he was denied a work permit.

After Rayo parted with new boss Francisco in February 2024, Perez was brought back to the club as manager, helping the club to avoid relegation. Last season saw his side go from strength to strength, finishing eighth in La Liga to qualify for the Europa Conference League.

The work of Iraola’s former assistant has caught the attention of other clubs. Perez has been linked with multiple jobs during his spell in charge of Rayo, including two Premier League positions.

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Football Espana reports that Perez was identified as a possible replacement for Nuno Espirito Santo at Forest before Postecoglou’s short-lived reign. He has since been linked with the vacant Wolves job.

However, Football Espana states that Perez turned down offers from Forest and Wolves, as well as Monaco, in favour of staying with Rayo. He signed a new deal in April, extending his contract until the end of this season.

Perez also found himself linked with other jobs in Spain last term and addressed claims that he was set to join Osasuna. “It’s not about perceptions, it’s about reality,” Perez explained.

“This news makes me angry because it is a lack of respect for me, for Rayo, for Osasuna and for [ex-Osasuna manager] Vicente Moreno. I understand that you have to create speculation – I accept it, but it is not pleasant news.”

The interest in Perez is understandable. After helping Rayo overcome their brief post-Iraola blip, he has guided the club to their best league finish in more than a decade and first European campaign since the 2000/01 UEFA Cup.

Despite the difficulties of balancing league form with European football, Rayo have not faltered so far this season. Perez’s side currently sit 10th in La Liga. On Thursday, a 3-2 home win over Lech Poznan put them sixth in the Europa Conference League table, picking up seven points from three games.

Given his previous desire to link up with Iraola, being denied the chance to join Bournemouth has allowed Perez to flourish as Rayo boss. “Sometimes life brings things you never even imagined,” Perez admitted after his appointment, as per the Guardian. “I was excited about working with Andoni: we tried, but it wasn’t to be.

“You find yourself here and then this opportunity emerges. It’s proof that you have to look at life with happiness and be ready for whatever comes your way.”

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