Andoni Iraola’s decision not to extend his Bournemouth deal leaves one of the Premier League’s most highly rated young managers available when his two-year contract signed in 2024 ends in June. His work at Bournemouth has been strong and consistent, but Iraola has made clear his ambition exceeds the limitations of the club.

Real Madrid is presented as a high-profile possibility in some discussions, though the piece below treats that as a stretch rather than an immediate fit. Liverpool would make sense on paper: Iraola has Premier League pedigree, a high-energy style and a record of improving talented youngsters — Reds left back Milos Kerkez is offered as evidence of that ability. Any Liverpool interest would hinge on the future of Arne Slot.

Manchester United remain a live option. Ruben Amorim left in January and Michael Carrick, appointed on an interim basis, has stabilised results and looks set to pursue Champions League qualification. “It was reported last month that United had not yet approached any alternative candidates, essentially making it Carrick’s job to lose as long as results were sufficiently good enough.” Yet United will still assess long-term options and Iraola’s unbeaten record against them is notable: he is unbeaten across all six meetings since 2023 and won 3–0 at Old Trafford in both 2023–24 and 2024–25.

Italy is not closed. Juventus have extended Luciano Spalletti until 2028, but Atalanta represent a conceivable project. Raffaele Palladino is currently in charge and senior executive Luca Percassi recently told Sky Sport Italia that talks are “postponed” while crucial matches are played. For a club used to European football, a reset could open a doorway for a fresh coach.

There are also risk-and-reward options. Tottenham dropping to the Championship would present a reconstruction brief with enormous upside. Chelsea, despite handing Liam Rosenior a six-year deal at the start of 2026, are underperforming and could attract a candidate like Iraola if the club seek a decisive change. Each destination carries different constraints, but Iraola’s profile ensures he will be one of the more sought-after names this summer.

Tottenham’s start under Roberto De Zerbi brought no immediate uplift as they fell 1–0 at Sunderland, a defeat compounded by an unlucky deflection. Spurs are now winless in 14 Premier League games and sit on 30 points, but the relegation group remains tight.

The four clubs in the mix sit as follows: Tottenham (30 points), West Ham (32 points), Nott’m Forest (33 points) and Leeds (33 points). Each club has a set of fixtures that will determine who survives.

De Zerbi’s first home match is against his former club Brighton & Hove Albion next week. Spurs then travel to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers. Europa League-chasing Aston Villa and London rivals Chelsea also appear in Tottenham’s remaining schedule, both away from home. Leeds visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 9 for a direct relegation meeting and Everton provide tough opposition on the final day.

Leeds are next in action against Manchester United on Monday night, having failed to win any of their previous six league outings. They will host Burnley and Wolves at Elland Road in the coming weeks, with a trip to Bournemouth arriving between those two fixtures. Leeds also have an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea to navigate before the final weekend clash with West Ham.

West Ham’s recent victory over Wolves gave Nuno Espírito Santo’s side a timely boost and moved them ahead of Tottenham. The Hammers face two away London derbies against Crystal Palace and Brentford in the next three weeks. Everton travel to the London Stadium on April 25. West Ham host Arsenal on May 9, then travel to Newcastle, with Leeds visiting on the final weekend.

Nottingham Forest sit on 33 points alongside Leeds and must negotiate their remaining fixtures amid the same pressure. The margins are small and each result over the closing weeks will carry significant consequence for the battle to avoid relegation.

Tottenham Hotspur received a fresh blow to their Premier League survival hopes after Mohammed Kudus suffered a setback while returning from a quad problem that has kept him out since the start of 2026. The club confirmed that Kudus, who had returned to training after more than three months on the sidelines, will see a specialist to determine whether surgery is necessary.

Kudus was a key figure earlier in the campaign, contributing seven Premier League goal involvements in the first half of the season and emerging as the primary attacking threat under Thomas Frank. Tottenham have not won a league game since he went off against Sunderland on Jan. 4, a run that underlines his importance to the side.

Roberto De Zerbi was brought in to steady the squad following Igor Tudor’s ill-fated 44-day interim reign, and reports suggest players have been impressed by the new manager. There had been a sense of optimism, aided by James Maddison stepping up his recovery from an ACL tear and Kudus’ anticipated return after the international break, as Tudor indicated prior to his departure.

The timing of Kudus’ injury was significant. It followed the sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace and prompted expectations that the club would seek reinforcements in the winter window. Sporting director Johan Lange and CEO Vinai Venkatesham elected not to pursue additions, believing injured players would soon be available again. Sporting director Lange explained that the club opted against “stress purchases” with the view that players would soon be returning from injury.

If surgery is required, the club warned Kudus could miss the remainder of the domestic season and have his involvement at the World Cup placed in doubt. Tottenham now face the challenge of navigating the run-in while assessing the severity of a long-standing problem that has already cost them crucial results.