Iraola Confident Bournemouth Will Thrive Under Rose

Andoni Iraola has expressed confidence that Bournemouth will be in "very good hands" under Marco Rose, who is set to take over as manager at the end of the season.

Iraola confirmed last week that he will depart the Vitality Stadium upon the expiration of his contract, with clubs such as Athletic Club, Newcastle United, and Real Madrid linked as potential destinations. Bournemouth swiftly secured Rose as his successor, announcing on Monday that the German coach has agreed to a three-year deal.

Rose previously led RB Salzburg to consecutive league titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19 before managing Borussia Mönchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig, where he won the DFB-Pokal in 2023. During his tenure at Leipzig, he oversaw more Bundesliga matches (90) and victories (49) than any other coach in the club’s history, achieving a 54% win rate.

Iraola leaves behind a strong legacy, having recorded 39 wins, 35 draws, and 35 losses in 109 Premier League matches—a 36% win rate, the highest of any Bournemouth manager in the competition. Despite the challenge of filling Iraola’s shoes, the outgoing manager believes Rose is the right choice to sustain the club’s progress.

Ahead of Wednesday’s match against Leeds United, Iraola praised Rose, stating, "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 added, "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."

Bournemouth remain in contention for European qualification, currently sitting eighth in the table. A win against Leeds could propel them into the top seven. "We are in a good place in the standings, but it’s going to be so difficult for us," Iraola acknowledged. "We are competing against not one or two but a lot of teams."