Iraola close to Bayer Leverkusen job as Hjulmand set to leave

Media report: Iraola in "final negotiations"

The search for a new coach at Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen appears to be nearing its end. According to Kicker, the club is in "final negotiations" with Spaniard Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth. The 43-year-old is expected to succeed Kasper Hjulmand, who, despite having a contract until 2027, is reportedly on his way out.

After Brazilian Filipe Luis - who, according to media reports, is close to signing with0Monaco - turned down the job, Bayer Leverkusen are0"pushing" for the signing of Andoni Iraola and hoping for a "quick agreement," as per Sky.

Oliver Glasner, who won the Conference League title with Crystal Palace on Wednesday, is also reportedly a candidate in Leverkusen.

Leverkusen's end of season form

Iraola - a Basque, like Bayer’s title-winning coach Xabi Alonso - set a new points record with Bournemouth in each of his three years at the club and recently went 18 Premier League matches unbeaten.

Bournemouth narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification in the end, finishing sixth in the table but sealing a spot in the Europa League.

Iraola had already announced his departure in April. Former Dortmund and Leipzig coach Marco Rose will take over the Spaniard’s position.

In Leverkusen, Hjulmand - who took charge of Bayer after the second Bundesliga matchday last season - is set to leave after a poor second half of the campaign and a sixth-place finish.