Bournemouth have confirmed that Marco Rose will be the club’s new manager from next season following the departure of Andoni Iraola.
It was revealed just last week that Spaniard Iraola would be leaving the club at the end of the season when his contract expires after he and the Cherries failed to agree on a new deal.
Rose, 49, has been out of work since being sacked by RB Leipzig a year ago but has been eager to take up the challenge of coaching in the Premier League.
He was considered by Tottenham prior to them appointing Igor Tudor and has previously managed in the Champions League while with Borussia Dortmund, where he coached the likes of Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham.
Bournemouth confirmed his appointment on Monday afternoon, stating that Rose has signed a three-year deal and will take over from Iraola in the summer.
They added: ‘The club’s immediate focus remains firmly on finishing the current campaign as strongly as possible, with the players and staff continuing to show full commitment to achieving positive results and building on the current 13-game unbeaten run.
‘Everyone at AFC Bournemouth looks forward to welcoming Marco to Vitality Stadium as he begins his role as head coach in the summer.’
With a preference for a high-intensity pressing style, Rose is considered a good fit to continue Iraola’s work at Bournemouth.
He had also previously worked at Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Salzburg.
Bournemouth have considered the merits of assistant Tommy Elphick and Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and, while the latter has a buyout clause, his immediate focus is to lead his club back into the Premier League.
Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, are considering Iraola to succeed Ernesto Valverde and the pull of a return to Spain is understood to be a major factor for him and his family.
Crystal Palace have also made a concerted effort to attract him to their project with Oliver Glasner leaving Selhurst Park in June.
Iraola spent 12 years at Bilbao as a player, making over 400 appearances for the club. However, he has still to finalise his decision.
The 43-year-old, who took over from Gary O’Neil in summer 2023, said on Thursday after announcing his departure: ‘It has been an honour to manage AFC Bournemouth and I am proud of what we have achieved together.
‘I’m thankful to the players and staff that I’ve worked with, as well as Bill (Foley, the club chairman), who have all made my time here so special.
‘As for the fans, you have continued to show your fantastic support to myself and the team, and for that I will always be grateful. I feel this is the right moment for me to step away, but I will always carry fantastic memories of this club.’
