Marco Rose: Bournemouth appoint former RB Leipzig boss as Andoni Iraola successor
Bournemouth have appointed Marco Rose as Andoni Iraola's successor at the Vitality Stadium; Iraola confirmed on April 15 he would be leaving the Premier League club when his contract expires at the end of the season; Rose joins having been sacked by RB Leipzig in March
Monday 20 April 2026 17:58, UK
Bournemouth have appointed Marco Rose as Andoni Iraola's successor.
Rose will officially take charge in the summer on a three-year contract but the deal has been made to allow both the new boss and club to plan for next season after Iraola confirmed he would be leaving the club.
Iraola revealed last week that he would be departing his role as head coach when his contract expires at the end of the season, bringing an end to his three-year reign.
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Sky Sports News had reported former RB Leipzig boss Rose was the frontrunner to succeed Iraola, with the club working quickly to make an appointment.
The 49-year-old was always their number one target to replace Iraola because of his similar footballing philosophy and style of play.
Rose has been out of management since being sacked by RB Leipzig in March 2025. He has also worked at Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Monchengladbach and Red Bull Salzburg.
Bournemouth said: "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."
Why Rose is the right fit for Bournemouth
Sky Sports' Adam Bate:
When Andoni Iraola was at Rayo Vallecano he was asked in an interview with Spanish sports outlet Revelo who he enjoyed watching. His reply feels particularly pertinent now. "Marco Rose's Gladbach was one of my favourite teams," said Iraola.
"I really like German football because as a spectator I love it when things happen. It is not a case of you attack for two minutes and then it is my turn. Every player has to do more and more roles because everyone on the pitch is attacking and defending.
"I like that football where the player does everything. The attackers press as defenders, central defenders drive forward and hold the last line. It is a very complete and tactical football, that's why I liked Rose's Gladbach, you could see that it was well worked."
More than three years on and it has gone full circle. Rose, having perhaps unknowingly inspired this Bournemouth team, will inherit it following Iraola's decision to walk away this summer. Is a Premier League side in danger of making a coherent appointment?
Maybe it is easier to make a change from a position of strength. Bournemouth continue to progress and news of Rose's impending arrival emerges at a time when they are on the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League. They could yet qualify for Europe.
But Tiago Pinto and the other decision makers on the south coast still deserve credit for an eminently sensible move. It is not just that Iraola admires him - this is not Sir Alex Ferguson handpicking David Moyes. It is why Iraola admires him that is so important.
