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Andoni Iraola has formally notified AFC Bournemouth that he will step down when his contract runs out at the close of the 2025‑26 campaign. The 43‑year‑old manager is expected to explore other Premier League opportunities over the summer.While a move back to his boyhood club Athletic Bilbao remains a possibility, the club’s preferred candidate to replace Ernesto Valverde appears to be former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic.At Bournemouth, the race to replace Iraola is already heating up. Marco Rose, who succeeded Terzic at Dortmund and most recently managed RB Leipzig, is widely tipped as the leading candidate. Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town, despite being under contract until 2028, is also generating interest.Players were informed of Iraola’s impending exit after a Tuesday training session, ending months of speculation that kept his staff in the dark. The manager maintained regular contact with director of football Tiago Pinto and technical director Simon Francis throughout the 15‑month negotiation period.In a club‑issued statement, Iraola said, "I feel this is the right moment for me to step away, but I will always carry fantastic memories of this club." Bill Foley, Bournemouth’s owner and chair, praised Iraola’s impact, noting he brought “intensity, innovation, and a clear philosophy that elevated AFC Bournemouth both on and off the pitch.”Despite a recent victory over Arsenal and a push for the club’s best Premier League finish, Bournemouth accepted that retaining Iraola was unlikely. The board is now accelerating the search for a successor, with a new appointment expected within the next fortnight.Iraola’s tenure has been marked by historic achievements: last season he guided Bournemouth to a record points total, matching the ninth‑place finish recorded by Eddie Howe in 2016‑17. He also oversaw the sale of key players – Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez, Dango Ouattara, and Antoine Semenyo – for a combined fee exceeding £250 million, demonstrating his ability to balance on‑field success with financial prudence.A former Athletic Bilbao full‑back with 510 appearances, Iraola has long expressed affection for the Basque side, though he has hinted he would prefer to preserve his legacy after a 12‑year playing career there.Crystal Palace publicly lauded Iraola after confirming manager Oliver Glasner’s departure, but most analysts agree the former will attract interest from larger clubs.Earlier this season, Iraola hinted to the Guardian that the campaign could be his last at Bournemouth, saying, "Sometimes there is a moment after some seasons where you feel maybe the message does not go the same way to the players."Bournemouth’s next fixture is against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, where manager Eddie Howe has yet to defeat his former club.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains optimistic about his team's chances despite mounting injury concerns, particularly with star player Bukayo Saka sidelined with an achilles issue.Arteta insists he has 'zero fear' that Arsenal could end the season without silverware, but admits there are significant doubts over Saka's return. Saka has not played since the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City last month and Arteta is uncertain when he will be back.'Hopefully it's going to be a matter of days and not weeks,' Arteta said. 'But he has to see when he's loading more, how he responds to that kind of progression.'Arsenal are also facing doubts over Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and captain Martin Ødegaard for their Champions League match against Sporting. Additionally, Arteta will make a late call on Declan Rice's fitness after the England midfielder missed training on Tuesday.Despite recent setbacks, including a home defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League, Arteta remains positive. 'Fire. I'm on fire. I'm on fire,' he said. 'Nothing else. I'm dreaming so much. I've done so much to be in this position because I know how this club was. I just see beauty, opportunity, and I want to get it done for all these people that have been in this journey with us.'

Manchester City's recent comprehensive win over Chelsea has brought them within six points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, reigniting the title race. A viral social media meme featuring a City fan mocking Arsenal's struggles has captured the attention of football fans worldwide.The fan in question was seen mimicking a celebratory sip from an empty plastic bottle adorned with an Arsenal logo, leaving City's supporters in laughter and making viewers wonder if Arsenal have 'bottled it' once more. This comes after Arsenal's dramatic stumble over the past few weeks, including a loss to 11th-placed Bournemouth in the Premier League.Arsenal's quadruple hopes have taken a hit, with the team suffering three consecutive losses in local competitions. Manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged that his players are hurting but need to 'take it on the chin' and 'embrace the challenge' ahead. The team's fate is now as much in Manchester City's hands as it is in their own.Meanwhile, Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, remains alert to the threat posed by Arsenal despite their recent blip. Guardiola emphasized the need for respect towards Arsenal, stating that beating them twice in a few weeks will be extremely difficult. City are favourites to lift the FA Cup and could still bag their 11th league trophy, with some experts predicting a domestic treble for the Sky Blues.

Arsenal's recent defeat to Bournemouth has sent shockwaves through the football world, with manager Mikel Arteta expressing his disappointment and frustration with his team's performance. The 2-0 loss has raised concerns about the team's mental fortitude and ability to cope with pressure.Arteta's side has been criticized for their risk-averse playing style, which has led to a series of underwhelming performances. The team's inability to beat Bournemouth's press and create scoring opportunities was a major concern, with Arteta admitting that his team's display was 'a big punch in the face'.Despite the setback, Arteta remains committed to his approach, which he believes will ultimately lead to success. However, with Manchester City breathing down their necks in the Premier League table, the pressure is mounting on Arteta to deliver results.The defeat has also sparked debate about the team's mental preparation and ability to handle the pressure of being top of the league. With a crucial match against Manchester City looming, Arteta will need to find a way to motivate his team and prevent another disappointing performance.

According to the latest Tottenham Hotspur financial statements, former executive chair Daniel Levy received £5.76 million in remuneration for the year ending 30 June 2025. That figure represents a 54% increase on his 2024 earnings and, as noted by football‑finance analyst Kieran Maguire, made him the highest‑paid director in the Premier League for the season. In stark contrast, the club’s women’s team—comprising 64 players and staff—had a combined salary and bonus total of £3.73 million, a 23% rise from the previous year. After accounting for social security and pension contributions, the overall wage bill reached £4.3 million, with an average annual earnings of roughly £58,000 per employee. This places Tottenham Women below several WSL rivals that have disclosed their 2024‑25 accounts, such as Brighton (£5 million), Manchester United (£5.88 million), and Arsenal (£11.3 million), but above Liverpool (£3.12 million). The women’s side recorded a post‑tax loss of £2.83 million, marginally higher than the £2.73 million loss reported in 2024. The deficit persisted despite a notable surge in commercial revenue, which more than doubled from £1.46 million to £3.34 million. Broadcast income remained static at £267,414, while prize‑money earnings fell by approximately £600,000. On the pitch, Tottenham Women finished the 2024‑25 campaign in 11th place in the Women’s Super League. However, the current 2025‑26 season shows a marked turnaround, with the team sitting fifth with three matches remaining and having nearly doubled their league victories compared with the previous term. Sources indicate that an internal review has repositioned women’s football as a strategic priority for the club, a shift that is expected to be reflected in the forthcoming 2025‑26 accounts.

The latest episode of Football Weekly released by The Guardian centers on Manchester City's ambition to close the gap with Arsenal in the Premier League race. While the segment is presented as a video discussion, the analysis underscores City’s tactical preparations and the significance of the forthcoming match for both clubs' title aspirations. Key points raised include City’s recent form, their squad depth, and the strategic adjustments aimed at neutralising Arsenal’s attacking threats. The conversation also touches on how a victory could reshape the league standings, potentially propelling City into a stronger position for the title run‑in. Overall, the program frames the clash as a pivotal moment in the season, with both teams poised to influence the championship narrative.

Manchester City is gaining ground on Arsenal in the Premier League standings after a convincing win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City's victory brings them closer to Arsenal, who suffered a surprising home loss to Bournemouth.In other matches, Tottenham Hotspur's struggles continued as they slipped into the relegation zone following a defeat to Sunderland. Meanwhile, West Ham United thrashed Wolverhampton Wanderers at home.Forest secured a crucial point against Villa, and Liverpool solidified their fifth-place position. In the Football League, Ipswich Town won the East Anglian derby against Millwall, moving into second place with two games in hand.The weekend also saw significant action in League Two, where the top four teams faced each other. Leaders Bromley lost 2-1 to MK Dons, while Cambridge United jumped ahead of Notts County after a 4-0 victory.In Scotland, the top three teams all secured wins, with Hearts maintaining their lead by a single point. Additionally, Barry Glendenning participated in the London Landmarks Half Marathon, and supporters can contribute to his fundraising efforts here.

Manchester City reignited the Premier League title race with a commanding 3-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The win saw Pep Guardiola's side close the gap to six points behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand, setting the stage for a crucial showdown at the Etihad Stadium on April 19.The match turned in City's favor immediately after halftime, with Nico O'Reilly and Marc Guehi scoring within six minutes. Jeremy Doku sealed the win with a third goal in the 68th minute, capitalizing on poor Chelsea defending. This victory came on the heels of Arsenal's surprise 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, giving City a lifeline in the title chase.City are now just six points behind Arsenal and have a game in hand. A win against Arsenal next weekend would bring them within three points and potentially set up a thrilling finale to the season. Chelsea, meanwhile, have won only one of their last seven matches and are facing increasing pressure on their manager, Liam Rosenior.In other Premier League action, Tottenham's relegation struggles continued with a 1-0 loss to Sunderland, while Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Aston Villa and Crystal Palace beat Newcastle 2-1.

Manchester City delivered a decisive 3-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a result that reduced Arsenal's nine‑point cushion to six and gave Pep Guardiola's side fresh impetus in the Premier League title race.City seized control early in the second half, with Nico O'Reilly heading in from a Rayan Cherki cross in the 51st minute. Six minutes later, Cherki’s incisive play produced a disguised pass to Marc Guéhi, who finished to make it 2-0. A third goal followed as a swift counter‑attack saw Cherki again on the ball, delivering a cross that O'Reilly converted, sealing the win.The match also highlighted individual milestones: Cherki notched his 10th league assist, becoming the first debutant since Dimitri Payet (2015‑16) to reach double‑digit assists in a Premier League season. Meanwhile, Guéhi recorded the first away player to keep two clean sheets at Stamford Bridge in a single campaign, having previously done so with Crystal Palace.Strategically, the win narrows the gap to Arsenal, leaving City six points behind with a game in hand. Should City overcome Arsenal at the Etihad this weekend, they could overtake the Gunners and re‑establish themselves as front‑runners for the title.Chelsea, hampered by the absence of injured captain Reece James and the suspension of Enzo Fernández, struggled to match City’s intensity. Their disciplinary record remains a concern, having amassed the league's highest number of yellow cards for dissent (16). Despite moments of promise from Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto and João Pedro, the Blues lacked the cutting edge in the final third and were out‑classed in midfield.Guardiola’s halftime adjustments proved pivotal; the team increased tempo, sharpened passing angles, and pressed higher, turning a sluggish first half into a dominant second‑half display. The victory not only restores confidence after a recent FA Cup win over Liverpool but also underscores City’s ability to respond swiftly to rivals’ slip‑ups, a pattern that has defined many of their recent title pursuits.