Andoni Iraola: Architect of Dreams at Bournemouth

Another Basque coach succeeding in the Premier League

Andoni Iraola Sagarna (Usúrbil, Gipuzkoa, June 22, 1982) is a retired Spanish footballer and coach currently managing AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. His career, both as a player and a coach, is marked by commitment, ambition, and attractive football, making him one of the prominent figures in the national and international football scene.

As a player, Iraola developed in the youth ranks of Antiguoko KE in San Sebastian, where he played alongside footballers like Aritz Aduriz, Xabi Alonso, and Mikel Arteta. In 1999, he joined the youth team of Athletic Club, Bilbao, following an agreement between the Bilbao-based club and Antiguoko KE. Two years later, he made his debut with Bilbao Athletic, the club's reserve team, and in 2003, he moved up to the first team under the management of Ernesto Valverde.

Iraola quickly became a key player for Athletic, primarily playing as a right-back but also capable of featuring as a midfielder or winger. During his twelve seasons with the Basque club, he played 510 official matches, scored 38 goals, and provided 51 assists. He became the second player with the most European appearances for Athletic, surpassed only by José Ángel Iribar, and the sixth player with the most appearances in the club's history.

With Athletic, Iraola experienced moments of glory and challenges. Notable achievements include reaching the finals of the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercup in 2009 and the UEFA Europa League in 2012. Despite not winning any titles, Iraola was involved in significant victories, such as the 0-2 triumph at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2005, a memorable bicycle-kick goal against Espanyol in 2009, and a stellar performance against Manchester United at San Mamés in 2012. Among the challenging times, the 2006-07 season stands out when Athletic faced the threat of relegation, and Iraola played a crucial role in securing the team's survival with two goals in the derby against Real Sociedad.

Iraola also represented the Spanish national team on seven occasions, making his debut in 2008 against Peru. While he participated in the qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with La Roja, he was not selected for the final tournament, where Spain became champions.

In 2015, Iraola decided to conclude his tenure with Athletic and embarked on a new adventure with New York City F.C. in Major League Soccer, where he played alongside stars like David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, and Frank Lampard. In the U.S., he played 23 matches and scored one goal before announcing his retirement in 2016 at the age of 34.

After hanging up his boots, Iraola pursued a coaching career, obtaining the UEFA Pro license in 2017. In the same year, he began coaching the youth team of Antiguoko, his childhood club. His impressive work led to a move to professional football in 2018 when he was hired by AEK Larnaca in Cyprus. With the Cypriot team, he qualified for the second qualifying round of the Europa League, eliminating Irish side Dundalk but falling to Austrian team Sturm Graz.

In 2019, Iraola returned to Spain to take charge of Mirandés, a modest team in the Spanish Second Division. With the Burgos-based team, he had an excellent season, comfortably securing survival and reaching the semifinals of the Copa del Rey, eliminating top-flight teams such as Celta Vigo, Sevilla, and Villarreal. His possession-based, press-oriented, and daring style earned him praise from critics and fans alike.

In 2020, Iraola took a new step in his career by signing for Rayo Vallecano, where he spent three years, another historic Second Division team. With the Madrid outfit, Iraola maintained the upward trend of his career, achieving promotion to the First Division in the 2020-21 season, after beating Leganés and Girona in the playoffs. Rayo returned to the top flight after a two-year absence. In Rayo Vallecano's return to the First Division, he managed to keep them in the category in a very comfortable position and also took them to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. In the 2022-23 season, Rayo again had a placid season thanks to Iraola, who consolidated his position as one of the most promising coaches on the national scene.

However, Iraola did not continue with Rayo to face the challenge of La Liga, as he received an irresistible offer from Bournemouth, an English team that had just been promoted to the Premier League. The Basque coach decided to accept the proposal, signing a two-season contract with the Cherries, becoming the fifth Spanish manager in the English Premier League alongside Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, Pep Guardiola, and Julen Lopetegui.

In his first season leading Bournemouth, Iraola is demonstrating his ability to adapt to a different style of football and compete at the highest level. His team is currently in the mid-table, with a record of seven wins, seven losses, and four draws after 18 matches played. Their latest match was a convincing 3-0 victory against Fulham.

Bournemouth plays an offensive style of football, focusing on combination play, intensity, and verticality. Coach Andoni Iraola aims to direct attacks through the wings, leveraging the full-backs' projection and the interior movements of wingers. He also seeks to control the midfield with players like Tyler Adams, Philip Billing, or Alex Scott, providing quality, balance, and creativity. Upfront, he has fast and skillful players like Luis Sinisterra, Justin Kluivert, Dango Ouattara, or David Brooks, capable of unsettling any defense. The attacking focal point is Dominic Solanke, a powerful, opportunistic, and goal-scoring center forward. Bournemouth aspires to establish itself in the Premier League and provide entertaining football for its supporters.

Iraola has an exciting project ahead at Bournemouth, aiming to continue growing as a coach and make history in English football. His goal is to solidify the team in the Premier League and aim for higher achievements in the future. His track record as both a player and a coach attests to his seriousness, hard work, and ambition. His passion for football and love for the beautiful game have made him one of the most respected and admired coaches in the national and international football scene. Andoni Iraola is the Basque coach making a mark in the Premier League.