Bournemouth have announced Andoni Iraola as their new head coach, replacing Gary O’Neil, who was sacked earlier on Monday. The 40-year-old Iraola signed a two-year deal with the Cherries following the expiry of his contract at La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.”We’re so excited to welcome Andoni to the club,” said chairman Bill Foley.We are delighted to announce the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club’s new head coach. Welcome to #afcb, Andoni 🤝— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) June 19, 2023 Iraola spent three years at Rayo Vallecano, guiding them to 11th in the Spanish top flight last season.In his first season in charge, he earned promotion with the Madrid club from the second division before guiding them to the cup semi-finals in the 2021-22 campaign.##NAJAVA_MECA_7324379##Foley added: “With his contract in Spain coming to an end, 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 that he is the right man to lead our next chapter.”Iraola started his managerial career in 2018 in Cyprus with AEK Larnaca, before returning to Spain.His Rayo had a reputation for being one of the most effective pressing teams in Spain, playing with a high block and forcing teams into errors in dangerous areas.💪 Yesterday Night Unai Emery and Julen Lopetegui became the first coaches to face each other in The Spanish League (La Liga) and in the Premier League (EPL) in the same season.Spaniards 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/RsTVHX6a5B— Wa_Hab_Zy (@WsportTV) January 6, 2023 Iraola’s arrival to the English Premier League makes him the fifth Spanish gaffer in the dugouts of the English top-flight sides as the colony of Spaniards grows day by day. Before Iraola, the British Isles have been a perfect match for Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Wolverhampton’s Julen Lopetegui and Aston Villa’s Unai Emery.
