According to Sky Sport Italia, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola had discussions with AC Milan over a week ago, prior to their failure to qualify for the Champions League and the dismissal of Max Allegri. Unai Emery of Aston Villa is also reportedly in the running.
Multiple sources in Italy and England have reported today that Iraola is the leading candidate to take over at San Siro next season. He has stated his willingness to leave Bournemouth for new challenges after guiding the team to Europa League qualification.
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Iraola Tops Milan’s List
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth, celebrates with fans following their match against Nottingham Forest on May 24, 2026, at the City Ground in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
This news follows the dismissal of Allegri, along with director of sport Igli Tare, CEO Giorgio Furlani, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada, due to their failure to qualify for the Champions League. Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio indicated that conversations with Iraola had already begun last week.
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This implies that Milan was preparing to part ways with Allegri even if he managed to secure a top-four finish in Serie A.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, observes the match against Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
While Iraola remains the frontrunner and the preferred choice for RedBird patron Gerry Cardinale, he is not the sole candidate being considered.
Xavi has also been mentioned, despite not being in charge of a club for two years following his departure from Barcelona. Additionally, Sky Sport Italia has reported that Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, former Juventus coach Thiago Motta, and Vincenzo Italiano from Bologna are also on the list of potential candidates.
Emery has recently claimed another Europa League title with Aston Villa, while Italiano has been linked with the managerial position at Napoli.