The 43-year-old informed the club of his decision after 15 months of talks in which the Bournemouth hierarchy tried to convince him to sign an extension, reports the Daily Echo. The club respect his choice and believe they did everything in their power to keep him, including January investment in the squad with the arrivals of Alex Toth and Rayan.
Iraola joined in June 2023, replacing Gary O'Neil, and has since delivered back-to-back record points hauls for the Cherries. This season the club remain in contention for European football, sitting within two points of the Conference League places with six games to go.
He oversaw a significant squad rebuild throughout his tenure, with the club's sell-high model stripping out key players from his first-choice back four. Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi and Antoine Semenyo all departed in major deals, with Bournemouth banking around £254 million across those sales and others. Iraola kept results coming regardless.
His next move is unclear. Athletic Club are the prominent option, with Ernesto Valverde leaving the San Mames at the end of the season, and Iraola's deep connection to the Basque club — for whom he made 510 appearances as a player — makes it a natural fit emotionally. However, there are reported doubts on his side about returning to Bilbao at this stage, and Athletic are understood to have Edin Terzic as an alternative if Iraola passes.
Crystal Palace, who need a successor to Oliver Glasner, have also been monitoring the situation.
Iraola will want to sign off in style. Six games remain for Bournemouth to secure European football — and the manager who rebuilt the club's identity will be determined to deliver that farewell gift before he goes.