ANDONI Iraola insists he is relaxed about his contract situation at Cherries, after reports this week in Spain claimed Barcelona were keeping an eye on his progress.

The 41-year-old joined Cherries last summer after a three-year stint with Rayo Vallecano, signing a two-year deal, which expires in 2025.

Given Cherries’ progress this term, already surpassing last season’s points tally, many fans are hoping to see the club tie the Spaniard down to a longer-term contract.

Reports in Spain this week claimed Barcelona were monitoring Iraola, with their sporting director Deco last month listing Iraola among a list of “many top managers”.

During his time in charge of Rayo Vallecano, Iraola had an astonishing record against the Catalan giants, losing just one of five meetings, winning three.

Asked what his reaction was to seeing his name linked with Barcelona this week, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I’ve been in this sport a long time and I know how these things work.

“I will be here, for sure. I have no doubt about this.”

Iraola has again been nominated for the Premier League manager of the month award, after guiding Cherries to an unbeaten March of three wins and a draw.

Asked if there had been any talks around extending his contract, or if he was comfortable with the situation as it is, Iraola said: “For me, it is the first time I think I am going to finish a season with a contract already for next season.

“I am trying to remember, but I think it is the first time.

“Because normally, in Rayo I was there three seasons, but every year we signed at the end of the season – ‘you are happy, I am happy, yes, we continue, one more year’.

“It was like this, even at Mirandes it was similar. But now I have a contract for next year, so it is easier and better.”

Asked if that made him more relaxed about the matter, Iraola added: “Yes. I am used to these things at the end of the seasons, but this year, at this moment, this is not the case for me.

“It is the first time I think.”

At the time of writing, Cherries sit 11th in the Premier League table with eight games to play, on 41 points, just five points off their all-time record top-flight tally in 2016-17.

Cherries are just four points off a European place at present and 19 clear of the relegation zone.

Iraola takes his side to relegation-threatened Luton Town on Saturday (3pm), where victory would mathematically ensure a third straight season of Premier League football.