Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has rebuffed approaches from Tottenham Hotspur to become their new manager and replace Ange Postecoglou, journalist Duncan Castles has revealed.
The Spanish tactician was reportedly invited to speak with Spurs about a potential vacancy in North London but declined the opportunity amid growing uncertainty over Postecoglou’s future.
Iraola has instead been in discussions with Bournemouth for several weeks about prolonging his stay at the Vitality Stadium and potentially signing a new contract to reflect his impressive work.
The 42-year-old, who joined Bournemouth in July 2023, is leading the Cherries to their best-ever Premier League finish, with the club currently eighth in the table with six games remaining.
Andoni Iraola Snubs Tottenham Approach
Now in talks to extend Bournemouth contract
Castles, speaking on The Transfers Podcast, revealed that Iraola turned down Spurs’ approach and is now focused on extending his stay at Bournemouth:
“Interestingly, my guidance on this is that Tottenham's approaches to Iraola have been rebuffed by the manager.
“He has been invited and told to speak to them about that position, and has actually declined to do so.
“And instead, he has been having conversations with Bournemouth, informal conversations with Bournemouth for several weeks now, about not only continuing on his current contract, but signing a new contract to extend there.”
Iraola, praised as ‘incredible’, had been linked with a move to Spurs for several months and is believed to be among multiple Premier League managers under consideration by the North London club.
Tottenham have also reportedly looked at Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Fulham’s Marco Silva, although Postecoglou still has a chance of keeping his job.
Spurs’ season, and the Australian’s future, will now most likely hinge on their performance in the Europa League, where they have advanced past Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.
The Lilywhites will face Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals, with the first leg taking place in North London on May 1.
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