Andoni Iraola lifts Bournemouth to Europe as he prepares to leave | OneFootball

Bournemouth sealed European football for the first time with a 1-1 draw against Manchester City, as Andoni Iraola savoured his final home night before leaving at season’s end.

At a packed Vitality Stadium on Tuesday, the final whistle brought elation and disbelief, City’s title gone and Iraola proud of what his team had delivered.

Over three seasons he has reimagined Bournemouth, his high-pressing, front-foot game fuelling a 17-match unbeaten league run and an equal-best points tally.

The model has also raised player value, with Antoine Semenyo and Milos Kerkez sold for significant sums, and targeted replacements slotted in. Adrien Truffert, recruited for less than a third of the Kerkez fee, was central to the opener.

Marcus Tavernier spun in midfield and released Truffert, the 24-year-old cutting back for Eli Junior Kroupi to curl into the far corner. The contest ended 1-1, and with it came history.

More may follow, a win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, allied to an Aston Villa triumph in this evening’s Europa League final, would mean the Champions League. Iraola said they are rooting for Villa.

He added that his decision was communicated swiftly inside the club, and that Marco Rose would be coming in next. Leaving has been difficult, yet he spoke of relief and of not yet knowing his next destination.

Source: NY Times