Iraola, modest and smiling, now assumes the status of hero in Bournemouth. It is not surprising, when fans can see football of this quality, with Dango Ouatarra scoring a hat-trick, Justin Kluivert following their hat-trick in Newcastle United with their eleventh goal of the season and Antoine Semenyo that shows its quality and Threat with the fifth. .
Those who surround the club marveled in the relaxed way of Iraola before the games, happy to talk with the staff in their office 20 minutes before the start while the heating continue in the field. His love for an online game called ‘Bingo de Fútbol’ is used as a relaxing rest of the analysis sessions with his back room during the week.
Iraola is hooked to the questions of Trivia de Fútbol involved, also satisfies its competitive advantage that has even seen compilations of classification tables for the game.
And far from the training field, cycling is another form of relaxation, although the Dorset hills do not present the type of challenges that keep it attached to Le Tour.
It is in the training field where it flourishes, working with two former unconditional Bournemouth in Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper.
He brought compatriot Pablo de la Torre with him when he was appointed but did not follow the usual pattern of an influx of personnel, even after his plan to appoint Inigo Pérez, now coach in Rayo Vallecano, he was denied by work permits problems.
Iraola took 10 games to obtain his first victory in the league, but external speculation was never reflected within the club. Those inside accepted that they had given a difficult beginning, with games against sides such as Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal in that opening period.
Those in Bournemouth saw enough to justify their faith in the man who, to the surprise of many, replaced Gary O’Neil’s dismissal.
This forest mauleo was all that is Bournemouth from Iraola, the ball is quickly transferred to attack, happy to wear long balls, before its powerful attackers, even without the record firm of £ 40 million, do your job.
Iraola’s side is anxious to enter half of the opponents quickly and then, trusting the possession they have or pinching the ball through a pressing fierce, creating danger.
Bournemouth lost Dominic Solanke against Tottenham in the summer, but we have barely seen the union. The transition has been perfect.
Former sports director Richard Hughes, now in Liverpool, still has a lot of credit for his work, while the former Bournemouth captain, Simon Francis, his assistant for four years, has passed to the role successfully.
The intelligent recruitment is exemplified by the central defenders Illia Zabarnyi, signed from Dynamo Kyiv for £ 24 million in January 2023, plus the Spanish Sub-21 adolescent Dean Huijsen, brought from Juventus for £ 12.8 million last summer.
Bournemouth has not been lost since the couple joined 11 games, cutting an unlikely image as they both play with their socks, but creating a formidable barrier.
Hat-trick hero ouatarra, 22, cost £ 20 million in January 2023, while Kluivert now seems like a bargain after its £ 9.6 of As Rome movement in June 2023.
The left side of Hungary, Milos Kerkez, outstanding against Forest, is already a hot property after arriving from Az Alkmaar in July 2023.
Iraola wants its players to be tactically intelligent and physically at its peak, and all this was on display, since they simply carried too much for the side of Nuno Espirito Santo.
It is proud of each player knowing their role and unity of thought, perhaps the best demonstrated when Ryan Christie replaced Marcus Tavernier in the 2-0 victory over the arsenal in October, instinctively taking the place of his teammate in a routine of intricate training in a free routine. -Kick that brought the substitute for the opening objective, to delight the players and those who designed the ploy.
Iraola was playing to talk about Europe, but if Bournemouth can perform thus and obtain a result against the leaders of the Premier League Liverpool in the Vitality Stadium in seven days, their status will increase even more and those cheerful supporters will obtain travel brochures. .
