Iraola has a history of overachieving everywhere he has been, beginning with his playing career.
He spent 15 years with Athletic Club, who famously only pick players with ties to the Basque Country. In his four seasons as captain, the club reached two Copa del Rey finals, a Europa League final and qualified for the Champions League.
In his first management role with AEK Larnaca, Iraola led the Cypriot side to qualify for the Europa League group stage for only the second time.
Then at little-known Spanish second division side CD Mirandes, he steered a team destined for relegation to a mid-table finish – and led them to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, knocking out La Liga heavyweights Celta Vigo, Sevilla and Villarreal.
Expectations were similarly low when he took charge of Rayo Vallecano, but he inspired them to promotion via the play-offs, overcoming a 2-1 home defeat by Girona to win the second leg 2-0 despite playing most of the second half with 10 men.
He took over at Bournemouth in 2023 when they had finished the Premier League season in 15th place, something that was deemed a success after Gary O’Neil replaced Scott Parker following a 9-0 loss to Liverpool just four games in. Since then, Iraola has guided the Cherries to a new level.
He has continued to network since becoming a coach, remaining in close contact with Alonso. He got to know Eddie Howe when the ex-Bournemouth manager was on a sabbatical before he moved to Newcastle United, inviting him to Madrid to watch his Rayo team train and “exchange ideas, especially on how to set up against the biggest teams”.
Iraola had no problem doing just that last season with Bournemouth as his side beat Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal, Newcastle and Everton, garnering fans and friends with an exciting brand of football that was not derailed by the January sale of star man Antoine Semenyo.
