Iraola announced this week that he would be leaving the Cherries as his contract runs down this summer. And this morning's media conference was dominated by the announcement.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Newcastle United, Iraola explained: "It has been a decision that has taken me a lot of time to take, it has not been a clear decision.
"Always during this process this season I have been talking to the club about all the situations. They were aware that this could happen.
"There is not always one main reason, I think that the decision I have taken is because probably I don't want to risk the feeling I have right now of satisfaction of these three seasons. You try to envisage yourself in a possible fourth or fifth season and everything costs more."
Iraola concedes he needs a change to freshen himself up.
He added, "We as human beings we get tired of watching always the same face and I suppose I have decided that this was the right moment to put an end to this journey, which for me has been really, really special."
Leaving a team with potential
Asked about leaving a Bournemouth with so much youth and potential, Iraola agreed the timing wasn't ideal.
He continued: "I agree 100% with what you said, I have nothing to say against this. I think the club is in a great place. I have things in this club that I will not find anywhere else. I come every day to work here with a smile and this is very valuable for me, but as managers you learn.
"You have experience as a player because you have a lot of managers who have to choose very well when to start, where to start.
"It is not a decision that I had super clear. I am not going to convince you because it has taken me this season. Sometimes I have been thinking 'oh definitely I am going to stay here'. Other times I have been thinking 'I am not going to continue here'."
Iraola concedes the choice to leave is more about emotion than what potentially can be achieved with this current team.
He also said: "It is a matter of feeling and there is a moment where you have to take the decision and this is the decision I have taken.
"I prefer to make the mistake of thinking maybe I could have stayed one year more rather than thinking I have stayed one year too much.
"There is a small margin you are playing with and it is what it is."
Next club?
Iraola has been linked with Athletic Bilbao, where Ernesto Valverde is stepping down, and also Crystal Palace with Oliver Glasner making a similar choice.
Asked if he has his next club lined up, the Spaniard insisted: "The decision was not about any other club, there was no other club involved - it was about either continuing here or not continuing here.
"I don't know what I want to do next season. I don't know if I am going to coach a team, a club. I don't know if I am going to coach an international team. I don't know if I am going to coach in this continent. I have no idea what is going to happen.
"I don't know if you are going to believe me, but it is the truth. And also I don't have any rush to want to know it. I have taken a big decision for me, now I want to focus on what we have in this moment. These next six games are massive for us.
"There is going to be time to think if we are going to have to think on something else."