'I am really happy here' - Bournemouth boss Iraola dismisses Tottenham speculation

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has downplayed speculation linking him to Tottenham Hotspur as a potential replacement for Ange Postecoglou, reaffirming his commitment to the south coast club.

Since taking over from Gary O’Neil in 2023, the Spanish coach has earned widespread praise. He guided Bournemouth to a 12th-place Premier League finish last season, and this term, the Cherries sit just five points off the top four, having already secured impressive victories against Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal.

Iraola's side faces a crucial FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City on Sunday, with a historic Wembley semi-final spot on the line. Bournemouth has never reached the last four of the competition.

Meanwhile, Postecoglou has faced a challenging second season at Spurs. Despite a lengthy injury list, Tottenham remains in contention for the Europa League, but their current 14th-place league position has intensified scrutiny on the Australian manager’s future.

Addressing rumors about a possible move to North London, Iraola emphasized his focus remains on Bournemouth.

“I want to do my job as best as I can. I don’t know how far we can go or where we will finish,” he said ahead of the clash with Pep Guardiola’s side.

“If I don’t do the job well, Bournemouth will find someone else—this is the reality of football and any job.

“I am really happy here. We have a great opportunity to reach the semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history, which would be an incredible achievement for both me and the club.

“But we also have to be realistic. There are stronger teams than us, and we have to fight against very good opponents. We will give our best.”

This week also marked a significant development for Bournemouth as the first team trained for the first time at their new state-of-the-art, 57-acre performance center.

The cutting-edge facility, which includes an indoor dome and rehabilitation facilities, signals the club’s ambitions—something Iraola has been particularly impressed by.

“It’s been a big change for us,” the 42-year-old admitted.

“We still have to get used to it, but it’s a massive improvement for the team and the club. Making a transition mid-season isn’t always ideal, but this break was a perfect time to do it. You can see the excitement on the players’ faces.

“The pitches are perfect, and we have all the tools we need. Now, we have no excuses—we have everything required to perform at our best.”

Bournemouth will take on Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with kick-off set for 4:30 pm UK time.