Football

Andoni Iraola

Andoni Iraola

    After a stalwart playing career at Athletic Bilbao, Andoni Iraola moved into management and is currently the head coach of Bournemouth.

    Before Iraola became a manager, he played as a right-back for boyhood club Athletic Bilbao. He spent most of his playing career there, appearing in 510 matches over 12 seasons and scoring 38 goals.
    As a player, he was praised throughout his career for his good passing skills and defending.

    The Spanish international got his first managerial role with AEK Larnaca in 2018, which lasted less than a year after two months without winning a game.

    He then had spells at Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano before joining Bournemouth in the Premier League ahead of the 2023/24 season.

    Andoni Iraola's playing career

    Andoni Iraola is a product of Athletic Bilbao's youth system at Lezama after he joined from Antiguoko.
    He made his debut in the 2003/04 season and quickly became a regular starter, being favoured for taking penalties and free kicks. He made his first La Liga appearance in a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in August 2003. That season, his five goals in 30 appearances helped Bilbao qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
    In his 12 seasons at the club, Iraola played at least 30 matches every season. He also played a vital part in helping the Basque side reach the final of three Copa del Reys.
    Iraola's most significant achievement was reaching the UEFA Europa League final in May 2012 but Bilbao lost 3-0 to Atletico Madrid.
    In 2015, Iraola played his last La Liga game against Villarreal CF. In the 24th minute, striker Aritz Aduriz offered him the chance to score a penalty. He refused to take it so Aduriz converted the spot kick instead. However, Iraola did find the back of the net in open play four minutes later after a great combination between him and Aduriz.
    Iraola captained his side in his very last game for the club - the 2015 Copa del Rey final, which Bilbao lost 3-1 to Barcelona.
    In June 2015, aged 33, Iraola decided to go abroad for the first time in his career. He joined MLS side New York City, where he made 38 appearances before retiring on November 7, 2016.

    Andoni Iraola's managerial career

    Andoni Iraola got his first managerial role in Cyprus with AEK Larnaca in June 2018. Unfortunately, he was sacked the following January after failing to win a game in nearly two months.
    Iraola was appointed the manager of Mirandes six months later. He took the club to the semi-finals of the Spanish Cup for only the second time in their 92-year history, beating some considerable opposition such as Sevilla and Villarreal on the way.
    Despite this impressive run, Iraola left the club a year later as his contract expired.

    A month after leaving Mirandes, Iraola became the new Rayo Vallecano manager, who at the time were in the Spanish second division.

    Iraola secured promotion to La Liga via the play-offs. This success earned him a contract extension until 2022.

    In his second season, Iraola took Vallecano to the last four of the Copa del Rey but they missed out on a place in the final after being defeated 3-2 on aggregate by Real Betis.

    Iraola was approached by Leeds United in February 2023, but the Los Franjirrojos prevented him from leaving.

    However, at the end of the season, Iraola decided to leave the club despite Vallecano's best efforts in trying to convince him to sign a new contract extension.

    On June 19, 2023, Iraola was appointed manager of AFC Bournemouth on a two-year deal, after the Cherries had fired Gary O'Neil only a couple of hours before.

    International career

    On August 20, 2008, Iraola was called up to play for Spain. He made his debut as a substitute in a 3-0 friendly win against Denmark, coming on for Sergio Ramos in the last 15 minutes. He made seven appearances for the Spanish national side.
    Iraola played for the Basque representative side for an entire decade, appearing nine times. He debuted in a 2-1 win against Uruguay in 2003.

    Andoni Iraola's coaching style

    Andoni Iraola believes in high-risk, high-reward strategies. He likes his attack well-constructed and his defence well-disciplined, like his playing days at Athletic Bilbao.
    This intensity is unmatched by many teams in Spain but could suit the Premier League with Bournemouth. However, this way of playing has resulted in many players getting injuries and fatigue, which could cost him in the long run.

    Andoni Iraola's net worth

    Andoni Iraola net worth is said to be around $5million.

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