Premier League side AFC Bournemouth have appointed Andoni Iraola as their new head coach.
This decision comes after the club parted ways with Gary O’Neil, despite his successful efforts in keeping the team in the top flight.
Iraola has signed a two-year contract with the Cherries following the expiration of his deal with Rayo Vallecano.
The Spaniard’s arrival at Bournemouth is a coup for the club. He was previously a target for Leeds United.
Iraola recently concluded his three-season stint at Rayo Vallecano with an impressive 11th-place finish last season.
He had helped them secure promotion to La Liga in his debut campaign. Many Spanish pundits and La Liga watchers regard the 40-year-old highly. He a promising manager with tactical acumen.
The news of Iraola’s appointment follows the announcement of Gary O’Neil’s departure today.
O’Neil took charge as interim head coach after the dismissal of Scott Parker last August. He guided Bournemouth to a 15th-placed finish in the Premier League, accumulating 36 points during his tenure.
Many believed O’Neil was a strong contender for the Manager of the Year award. But he received the sack this morning.
In his statement following the appointment of Iraola, Bournemouth chairman Bill Foley explained why they changed managers.
Foley said (via Bournemouth’s website): “With his contract in Spain coming to an end this summer, we wanted to act quickly.
“He was highly sought after by other clubs across the continent, and his style of play has been an important factor in making this decision.
“His achievements in Spain have certainly been very impressive, and we’re confident he is the right man to lead our next chapter.
“We have identified a number of targets in the transfer market, which along with our January additions, will supplement our strong playing squad to give Andoni the best chance to consolidate our Premier League status and keep progressing.”
Andoni Iraola will commence his work with the Bournemouth squad and backroom staff at the start of pre-season in July. He will assess his new team before a warm-weather training camp in Marbella.
