Andoni Iraola says he is closer to making a decision about whether he will stay at Bournemouth beyond the end of the season. Iraola has made a huge impact with the Cherries and has become a target for other Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, as his current deals nears its expiration.

The Spanish manager is only under contract with Bournemouth until the end of the 2025/26 campaign and has kept his cards close to his chest on what comes next. He has been linked with Tottenham, Crystal Palace andUnited in recent weeks and his reluctance to commit to Bournemouth may be an indication of his feelings.

"Definitely [closer to a decision]. It is something we will decide sooner rather than later, but there is no news," Iraola said at a press conference on Friday. "When there is something to say, we will say it."

Pressed further, Iraola added: "I have one thing clear, the club and me are very open. We talk a lot and very sincerely. We have open conversations, but obviously we cannot say here, outside, what we are telling inside. I think that's how we should work.

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"I have a great relationship with [technical director] Simon [Francis] and [president of football operations] Tiago [Pinto]. Everything is fine between us. We have things that we discuss, but they are internal conversations."

Iraola has overseen remarkable progress at Bournemouth since taking over from Gary O'Neil in June 2023. Bournemouth finished 12th, and with a record points total of 48, in his first season before topping it with 56 points and ninth place last season.

The Cherries currently sit ninth on 40 points with nine matches left to play and are unbeaten in their last eight games. Their success comes in spite of player sales, with defenders Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi and forwards Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara all being sold.

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United will appoint a long-term successor to Ruben Amorim in the summer. Interim boss Michael Carrick is making a strong case for the role, but chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox are considering other options, including Iraola.

Crystal Palace are also in need of a new manager this summer, with Oliver Glasner having confirmed in January that he will leave at the end of the season. Tottenham have also been linked with Iraola following the sacking of Thomas Frank and the dismal displays under new boss Igor Tudor, who is under contract until the end of the season.

Bournemouth are still hoping to persuade the 43-year-old, who joined after three years at Rayo Vallecano, to sign a new deal. But they will no doubt be concerned by the increased interest in his services as the season draws to a close.

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