Andoni Iraola in advanced talks with European giants – and could face Bournemouth next season

Bayer Leverkusen are in advanced talks to make Andoni Iraola their next manager, talkSPORT understands.

The former Bournemouth manager is highly-sought after having guided the Cherries to Europa League qualification.

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Crystal Palace have also shown interest in hiring Iraola as their new boss.

However, the Conference League winners are less confident of securing his services amid the discussions with Leverkusen.

Palace remain on the hunt for a manager, with Oliver Glasner leaving the club this summer.

Wednesday night’s win over Rayo Vallecano was the Austrian’s final match in charge of the Eagles.

Iraola’s departure from Bournemouth after three years in charge was confirmed in April.

A number have clubs have shown an interest in the 43-year-old.

As well as Leverkusen and Palace, AC Milan also shortlisted Iraola after sacking Massimiliano Allegri earlier this month.

The Cherries have since replaced Iraola with Marco Rose ahead of next season.

Rose has signed a three-year deal at the Vitality Stadium, having been available after leaving RB Leipzig in March 2025.

The 49-year-old won the DFB Pokal with the Bundesliga outfit after previous spells with Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Salzburg.

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His arrival follows their sixth place finish in the Premier League, the highest in the club’s 127-year history.

As a result, Bournemouth have also qualified for Europe for the first time and will compete in next term’s Europa League.

Potential Iraola reunion

Meanwhile, Leverkusen are set to replace Kasper Hjulmand in the dugout this summer.

After succeeding Erik ten Hag in September, the Danish boss could only achieve a sixth place finish in the Bundesliga.

In doing so, Leverkusen have also earned a spot in the Europa League.

They could face Bournemouth in the league phase, with a potential reunion with Iraola now on the cards.

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Leverkusen reached the final of the competition as recently as 2024, but were beaten by Atalanta.

It followed their UEFA Cup victory in 1988, where they emerged victorious over Espanyol in the final.