Andoni Iraola to Lead Bournemouth to Historic Season

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Author: Liam Lacey,

When former Rayo Vallecano Head Coach Andoni Iraola took over from Gary O’Neil as boss of Premier League side AFC Bournemouth in June 2023, eyebrows were raised in certain quarters because of the job O’Neil had done in rescuing the Cherries campaign after taking over from Scott Parker in August 2022. O’ Neil had led Bournemouth to safety in the League, but despite this the club saw the former Athletic Bilbao full back as the man to lead them forward.

A Shaky Start

The Spanish boss failed to win any of his first nine Premier League games during his first season, as the team struggled to come to terms with what the coach was asking them to do. His initial victory occurred in Round 10 of the League against Burnley. Following that success, his team triumphed in 6 of their next 10 League matches, as his football strategy began to solidify and take form. Ultimately, Bournemouth concluded the season with a record high of 48 points, securing 12th place in the standings. As a result of this achievement, the manager was rewarded with a new contract.

Team Analysis

After that shaky start last season, Iraola has transformed Bournemouth into one of the most effective and difficult sides to play against in the Premier League. The 42-year-old has adopted a quick, high tempo and high pressing game, which has made his team an uncomfortable opponent for even the best sides in England. Iraola has already masterminded victories over Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal this season, and fans will be hopeful that they can continue their upward trajectory for the remainder of the season.

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How do They Set Up

As has been said the team usually adopt a high-pressure, high-risk strategy regardless of who they are facing. Iraola sets his team up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-2-1 shape with a real focus on recovering the ball quickly after they are dispossessed. Iraola’s hard-working midfielders like Ryan Christie, Lewis Cook and Tyler Adams set the tone for their hard work and are amongst the most effective players in the League at regaining possession.

They confidently employ a man-to-man strategy across the pitch, advancing their center backs high up the field to compress the opponent's space and limit their options for breaking out. Additionally, they are quick to move the ball forward to minimize the risk of turnovers in their own defensive third. This approach is effective because they have eager attackers who consistently make runs into the channels, applying pressure on the opposing defenders to force errors.

"The 42-year-old has adopted a quick, high tempo and high pressing game, which has made his team an uncomfortable opponent for even the best sides in England."

Who Has Impressed This Season

Many wondered if the club could maintain their progress without their top scorer from last season Dominic Solanke. Solanke hit 19 League goals last season, but this campaign has seen Justin Kluivert come to the fore with 10 League goals already in just 21 appearances. Antoine Semenyo is so vital to what the team does offensively and Solanke’s direct replacement Brazilian international Evanilson come next with 6 and 5 goals respectively. All in all, 12 different goal scorers have contributed to the total of 36 goals they have scored in the League so far this season.

In defence the young trio of Illya Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez have come to the fore massively this season. Zabarnyi and Huijsen are just 22 and 19 respectively but are already forming one of the most impressive centre half pairings in the League, while the form of Hungarian left Back Kerkez has seen him linked with big moves to Liverpool and Manchester United.

In midfield, whomever the manager picks out of Christie, Cook or Adams it doesn’t seem to matter to how well they dictate Bournemouth’s style of play. Christie has a team high 136 ball recoveries, while Cook has 114 and Adams who has only made 12 appearances has 36.

Can It Continue?

The club currently finds itself in the Top 7, with the team raising their levels under the excellent stewardship of their Spanish boss. They are doing this with 10 first team players out missing also, so plenty of credit should go the team and their coach for what they are producing so far this season.

If it continues, the big question will be how much longer the club can hang onto their impressive Head Coach? Bournemouth fans will hope for another while yet.

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✒️ Liam Lacey – Football and GAA Sports Expert

Liam Lacey is a sportswriter from County Laois in Ireland who specializes in delivering content on GAA, horse races, and football matters (though he does see himself as somewhat of a tennis aficionado also).

Liam has written about All Ireland Gaelic Football and Hurling Championships, Premier League, Champions League and international football, offering expert opinions and match previews and predictions. Occasionally, even getting some right!

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