ANDONI IRAOLA has reportedly been lined up to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager.
The Bournemouth boss has made waves since moving to the south coast in 2023 from Rayo Vallecano.
Iraola has won 31 of his 72 games in charge of the Cherries.
And this season has seen them reach new heights with 12 wins and just six defeats in 25 outings.
As a result, Bournemouth now sit fifth in the table just one point off the top four while boasting a positive goal difference of 15.
And according to the Mail, Iraola’s efforts have not gone unnoticed.
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It’s reckoned he has now made his way onto a shortlist being drawn up by Real Madrid chiefs of potential replacements for Los Blancos gaffer Ancelotti.
The Italian, who won the Champions League during an earlier stint with Real, has led the Spaniards to two more European titles and two league titles since returning in 2021.
Ancelotti is hoping for another double this term as Real sit joint-top of LaLiga with Barcelona, while also holding the advantage over Man City in tonight’s Champions League play-off.
But reports in Spain suggest Ancelotti may retire this summer.
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And while the Italian has remained coy on the subject, Real are now bracing themselves for the worst by drawing up a list of suitable candidates to potentially take over this summer.
Former player and Bayer Leverkusen title winner Xabi Alonso is thought to be favourite, having rejected Liverpool last summer in the reported hope of eventually moving to Real.
But it’s reckoned that Iraola has now worked his way onto Real’s shortlist, having impressed club chiefs with his incredible job at Bournemouth.
The gaffer will have just a year left to run on his contract this summer, putting him at risk of an approach from interested clubs.
Tottenham are also thought to be keeping a watch on Iraola as they mull Ange Postecoglou’s future.
But after turning Bournemouth into European hopefuls, Iraola may instead fancy staying put at the Vitality Stadium to keep his project moving forwards.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
