Former Man United goalkeeper Ben Foster believes Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is the standout candidate to replace Ruben Amorim if the Portuguese head coach is sacked.

Amorim is under mounting pressure following a poor start to the season, and speaking about who he would like to be appointed if there is a change in the dugout, Foster said:

“Iraola is the one for me. To lose half your squad, half your starting line-up, and then still be just as impressive, for me, that means you’re a proper coach.”

“But if they’re trying to get Iraola or [Oliver] Glasner, then it’s going to cost an awful lot of money. I know Glasner’s contract is up in the summer, but he’s going to want £250,000-a-week himself as a wage and they’re [Palace] going to want compensation to some point, aren’t they?”

Iraola’s record as Bournemouth manager

Many have praised the work that the Spaniard has done since replacing Gary O’Neil at the start of the 2023/24 season.

Iraola has secured 12th and 9th-place finishes, recording a club record 56 points in his second campaign with the Cherries.

However, his win ratio of 39.36% is hardly anything to write home about, and while he has shown that he can overperform with the limited resources at his disposal, managing a club the size of Man United is a very different proposition.

What are the odds of Iraola replacing Amorim at Man United

The 43-year-old is currently priced between 9/1 and 10/1 at the bookmakers, which makes him one of the leading candidates for the job.

Only the aforementioned Oliver Glasner, former England boss Gareth Southgate and (at some betting firms) Xavi Hernandez have shorter odds than Iraola.

For now, United have not drawn up a shortlist of options, with the board firmly behind Amorim, but that could change in the near future.

Read more about the Manchester United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here