Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has publicly endorsed Marco Rose as his successor, stating the club will be "in very good hands" when the German takes over this summer.
Rose, 49, is set to replace Iraola at the end of the season when the Spaniard's contract expires. The former Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig manager has been without a club since being dismissed by Leipzig in March 2025 and will be managing in England for the first time.
"I think the club will be in very good hands. He's a great manager," Iraola said. "I praised him a few years ago, I always liked his teams and I hope he continues that. He's a good manager with a lot of European experience. He looks very exciting."
Rose brings an impressive track record to the south coast club, having led Red Bull Salzburg to two Austrian Bundesliga titles and the Austrian Cup before winning the German Cup and German Super Cup with RB Leipzig. He was also reportedly considered by Tottenham Hotspur earlier this year after they parted ways with Thomas Frank.
Iraola, who has guided Bournemouth to a remarkable 13-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, expressed confidence that Rose can build on the team's current success. The Cherries currently sit eighth in the table and could secure European football for the first time in the club's history before Iraola's departure.
"They should be happy because he's someone who can definitely improve the team," Iraola added. "I'm sure the players are happy they know what's happening. I don't know him personally but I always like his teams."
Despite the team's strong position, Iraola acknowledged the challenges ahead as Bournemouth prepares for their midweek match against Leeds. "We are in a good place in the standings but it's going to be so difficult for us," he noted. "We are competing against not one or two but a lot of teams."
Iraola's next move remains unknown as he prepares to hand over the reins to Rose, whose appointment signals Bournemouth's ambition to establish themselves as a competitive force in English football's top tier.