Bournemouth have begun sounding out potential successors to departing head coach Andoni Iraola, with Marco Rose and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna emerging as leading candidates, according to sources close to the club.

Iraola has informed Bournemouth that he will step down at the end of the current campaign, choosing not to extend a contract that was due to run out in June. The Spaniard is expected to attract significant interest across Europe, with strong links to Athletic Club in Bilbao, where a managerial vacancy is anticipated.

While Bournemouth remain in contention for a European place, the club’s hierarchy is already focused on securing continuity and building on the progress made under Iraola. Sources indicate that Rose and McKenna fit the profile of a progressive, front-foot coach capable of working within Bournemouth’s data-led recruitment model and developing younger players.

Rose, currently out of work after leaving RB Leipzig, carries one of the most substantial résumés on Bournemouth’s shortlist. The German coach has overseen Champions League campaigns and title races, having previously managed RB Salzburg, Borussia Monchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund. His teams are known for aggressive pressing, vertical attacking play and a willingness to trust emerging talent, traits that align with Bournemouth’s recent identity in the Premier League.

McKenna, by contrast, represents a rising managerial talent from the English game. The Northern Irishman is under contract at Ipswich Town until 2028 and is credited with transforming the club’s fortunes. After guiding Ipswich back to the Premier League for the first time in more than two decades, he has earned a reputation as a meticulous tactician and an excellent coach on the training ground.

Any move for McKenna would be complicated by his long-term deal and Ipswich’s determination to keep him, meaning Bournemouth would likely need to pay significant compensation and convince the 38-year-old that a move to the south coast represents a step forward in his career.

Bournemouth are expected to continue monitoring both candidates over the coming weeks while keeping options open should circumstances change. The club’s decision will shape the next phase of their Premier League project, with the board keen to ensure that Iraola’s departure does not stall the momentum built in recent seasons.