Andoni Iraola: Bournemouth coach says the decision on the future is “definitely” closer.

Bournemouth Head coach Andoni Iraola says he wants to resolve his contract situation “sooner rather than later” – but a decision is “definitely” closer to being made.

The 43-year-old Spaniard’s contract expires at the end of the current season.

Iraola has led the Cherries to the Premier League points tally in his two seasons in charge since replacing Gary O’Neill in June 2023.

“definitely [closer to a decision]. “It is something we will decide sooner rather than later, but there is no news,” Iraola said in a press conference on Friday.

“When there’s something to say, we’ll say it.”

Iraola has signed a 12-month contract extension to stay at the club until at least the end of the 2025-26 season after a successful first season in charge, having signed an initial two-year contract.

But it was linked, external To jobs at Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Manchester United this summer.

“I have one thing clear, the club and I are very open. We talk a lot,” Iraola said.

“I have a great relationship with [technical director] Simon Francis W [president of football operations] Thiago [Pinto].

“Everything is fine between us.”

After a slow start, Iraola led the club to 12th place and their highest points total (48) in the Premier League in his first season.

The Cherries team improved again in the Spaniard’s second season, finishing ninth with 56 points.

With nine games remaining in the 2025-26 season, the team is ninth in the league with 40 points.

These results have been achieved despite player sales exceeding £250m over recent windows, including three of last season’s starting four in Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Elia Zabarny, and strikers Antoine Semenho and Danjo Ouattara.

In comparison, they paid the second-largest combined transfer fee – after the £32m they paid for Brazilian striker Evanilson in 2024 – when they signed striker Ryan for £24.7m in January.