ANDONI Iraola’s former assistant, Inigo Perez, has been hired as the new head coach of Rayo Vallecano.

Perez worked under Iraola at Rayo during the 2022-23 season.

Iraola had planned to bring Perez to Cherries with him as his number two after being hired as boss last summer, but work permit issues prevented him from doing so.

Discussing the situation in October, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I talk to him sometimes by phone. Right now, he cannot work with us.”

Rayo Vallecano this week sacked Iraola’s replacement, Francisco Rodriguez, after a poor run of form saw them slip to 14th in La Liga.

Prior to hiring Francisco, Rayo wanted Perez to be their new boss, but he turned it down in the hope of a move to Cherries.

But former Athletic Bilbao midfielder Perez, 36, does now become the youngest manager in Spain’s top flight, eight years the junior of Barcelona boss Xavi.

His first game in charge will be against Real Madrid on Sunday.