Andoni Iraola took charge of Bournemouth last summer and guided the club to their highest points total in the Premier League; the Spaniard commits his future to the Cherries until the end of the 2025-26 season; Iraola: "I am happy that both sides want to continue the relationship further"
Monday 13 May 2024 14:43, UK
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has signed a new two-year contract with the Premier League club.
After guiding Bournemouth to their highest points total in the Premier League, the Spaniard has extended his stay on the south coast until the end of the 2025-26 season having taken charge last summer.
Iraola, who has been shortlisted for manager of the season in his debut campaign, said: "I'm very happy to sign the contract. For me, it is a matter of renewing the confidence from both sides.
"We have had a good experience with our first season together in the Premier League, and I am happy that both sides want to continue the relationship further.
"I'm proud that we achieved the points record. We are playing in a difficult competition, with very good opposition. The season started slowly, but I think we improved a lot and are playing in the right way.
"We have to continue improving the team, because the level of the Premier League is really high.
"I would like to thank the supporters for everything in our first year together. I am thankful that they were supporting us even in the beginning when we were not winning games, and that they have been very helpful to the players for the whole year."
Iraola signed a two-year contract at Bournemouth last June following a successful spell with Spanish club Rayo Vallecano.
The Cherries failed to win any of their first nine matches but American owner Bill Foley's patience has been rewarded, with a top-10 finish for the first time in seven years still a possibility.
Foley, who flew over from Las Vegas this weekend to get the deal tied up, said: "Andoni has made a huge impact since arriving at the club and we are thrilled to agree to this extension.
"We have achieved a club-record points tally in the Premier League thanks to a series of excellent performances and results from the team.
"The players have clearly bought into his footballing philosophy and our supporters have really taken to him. We look forward to continuing to work with him."
Sky Sports' Dan Sansom at the Vitality Stadium:
"Andoni Iraola being named on the five-man shortlist for Premier League manager of the season along with Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery tells you everything you need to know about the job he's doing at Bournemouth. In his debut campaign in England and without his first-choice assistant due to a failed work permit, it's nothing short of sensational.
"Having already guided Bournemouth to their highest Premier League points total, Iraola now has the Cherries targeting a top-half finish for the first time since 2016/17. It's an incredible achievement, especially considering he started his reign with a nine-game winless run which had some fans and sections of the media questioning his credentials.
"The Spaniard's big-risk, big-reward philosophy - summed up by intense, front-footed defending and speedy, efficient transition play - took time to implement but it was well worth the wait. Since the start of November, Bournemouth are sixth in the form table, a remarkable turnaround and one that has surely justified the club's controversial decision to sack Gary O'Neil last summer.
"Back-to-back losses to Arsenal and Brentford do not change anything. Bournemouth have made outstanding progress under Iraola and their new era is just getting started. With a forward-thinking head coach and the backing of American billionaire owner Bill Foley, the future looks a positive one. These are exciting times on the south coast."
The final day of the Premier League season takes place on May 19 with all games kicking off at 4pm. Bournemouth take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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