AFC Bournemouth are undergoing a remarkable transformation under Spanish manager Andoni Iraola, who has quickly made his mark in the Premier League. The decision to part ways with former manager Gary O’Neil last summer raised eyebrows among fans and analysts. Many have questioned the club’s choice to hire a manager without any Premier League experience. However, just over a year into Iraola’s tenure, he has proven his critics wrong and established Bournemouth as a competitive force in the elite of English football.
In the 2023/2024 season, Bournemouth set a club record by finishing the Premier League campaign with 48 points, surpassing the previous record of 46 points set during Eddie Howe’s tenure in the 2016/2017 season. This season, the Cherries have continued their upward trajectory, currently sitting in 6th place with 25 points, just three points off the coveted Champions League places. Their impressive run includes notable victories against top sides, including a stunning 2-1 victory over Manchester City, as well as triumphs against London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham.
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One of the defining features of Iraola’s management is the attacking style of play that has emerged at Bournemouth. Fans were treated to some exciting matches, with the team scoring 24 goals out of a total of 33 expected goals (xG). Although they have yet to fully capitalize on their xG, Bournemouth rank second in the league for xG, behind Chelsea. The transformation from a passive, low-blocking approach to a more aggressive, forward-facing style was a game-changer. The team now excels at high pressing, ranking first in the league for possession gained in the opposition’s defensive third, with a remarkable 350 recoveries and an average of 6.5 per game. This helped disrupt the opposing teams’ build-up play, contributing to their success against first-half opponents.
Despite averaging just 45.2% possession, Bournemouth rank 5th in the Premier League for shots on target per game, averaging 5.5. This is a significant improvement from the previous season, where they ranked bottom with just 3.5 shots on target per 90 minutes. Under Iraola’s leadership, the team has become more efficient at converting possession into scoring chances, with the ball being played into the opposition’s penalty area 469 times this season, double O’s last season’s rate. ‘Neil at the head.
Bournemouth have also excelled in winning penalties, with five awarded this season, 80% of which have been successfully converted. This relentless pressing style, combined with quick transitions from attack to defense, made the Cherries a formidable opponent. They only managed to concede 21 goals at an xG of 20.4, outperforming several top teams including Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Brighton.
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Iraola’s impact is even more impressive given the loss of key player Dominic Solanke to Tottenham in the summer. The fact that Bournemouth continue to perform well despite this setback speaks volumes about Iraola’s coaching abilities and the resilience of the team. However, fans will be hoping their rising star manager stays with the club as his success could attract interest from bigger teams in the future.
AFC Bournemouth are undoubtedly heading in the right direction under the leadership of Andoni Iraola. The club’s decision to part ways with Gary O’Neil is increasingly seen as a bold but justified move. As the season progresses, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how far this reinvigorated team can go and whether they can secure a place among the elite of English football.