Latest news with #Iraola
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Is Iraola staying? Transfer window Q&A
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been taking your asked: With AFC Bournemouth having had such a good season we will obviously be losing a few players. What will really hurt is if we lose Iraola. Is there any gossip around him going anywhere? (The chatter about a move to Tottenham seems to have abated a bit!)Simon answered: The latest I heard on this was that Iraola is keen to stay and continue the work he has been doing at the Vitality. I guess the problem is last season was really good - but for extended periods, it promised much more, and Bournemouth are in the cycle where after a campaign like they had, they are at risk of being picked off by bigger, richer clubs. Dean Huijsen has gone, everyone expects Milos Kerkez to go and no-one really knows where it will key, clearly, is for Bournemouth to spend the money wisely. And that is not totally down to the Q&A and the rest of the day's football news here
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Have your say in Daily Echo fans' survey after record-breaking Cherries campaign
IT WAS a brilliant season for the Cherries on and off the pitch in 2024/25. A record-breaking campaign in terms of wins, points and goals scored saw Andoni Iraola's team finish a record-equalling ninth in the Premier League. Off the pitch, the club opened the brand new, state-of-the-art performance centre, as well as confirming the purchase of the Vitality Stadium - with plans to redevelop the ground to expand capacity. Read more: 'We have to find the proper balance": Iraola aiming to build depth at Cherries 'We have time': Iraola relaxed over contract talks with focus on pre-season 'Massive gap' to 'expensive' European qualification: Iraola 'That was our worst period': Iraola reflects on tough run in 24/25 campaign There has been success for the women's team as they reached the third tier after an unbeaten season, claiming the National League Plate in a league-plate double. The development squad reached the final of the Professional Development League playoffs, beaten by Brentford but after a brilliant run at the end of the season saw them reach the final. With so much to celebrate, it has been an exceptional year for the club. Read more: Cherries' incredible comeback at Everton nominated for Premier League award Pair of Kepa stops nominated for Premier League save of the season Brooks nominated for Premier League goal of the season for Everton volley But how did you rate the Cherries this season? What would you give each of the men's players out of five for their performances this season? What was your highlight and lowlight of the campaign? Who was your signing of the season and what position do you see as the priority to strengthen in this summer? Answer all these questions and more in the Daily Echo's fan survey. Responses are welcome until next Sunday, June 8.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola snubs lucrative approaches from Saudi Pro League
Andoni Iraola has just over one year remaining at on his current deal at Bournemouth but the Cherries are confident of tying down the Spaniard to fresh terms Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has rejected lucrative approaches to coach in the Saudi Pro League this summer. The Spaniard, who has made a huge impression on the South Coast since arriving from Rayo Vallecano in the summer of 2023, is now approaching the final year of his contract at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth, however, remain optimistic that Iraola will not only fulfil the final 12 months of his deal but also pen fresh terms and extend his stay with the Cherries. Talks over an extension are ongoing and are expected to continue at the end of the season with owner Bill Foley determined to fend off mounting interest in Iraola's services. The Spaniard has attracted admirers at Tottenham, who are poised to make a decision on the future of Europa League-winning boss Ange Postecoglou, but there have already been formal approaches from the Middle East. It's understood at least one unnamed side, believed to be Al-Hilal (though sources at the Saudi club refused to comment), recently approached Iraola's representatives and indicated a willingness to meet his release clause which is worth between £9million and £10m. Iraola politely rejected the proposal and sources close to the 42-year-old have indicated he wants to continue managing in the Premier League despite also attracting interest from Europe. Bournemouth are ready to execute arguably the biggest summer of their history as they gear up for the departures of Real Madrid-bound Dean Huijsen and Liverpool target Milos Kerkez. Winger Antoine Semenyo and centre-back Illia Zabarnyi are also attracting interest though the Cherries have little desire to oversee a fire-sale as they look to kick on again next season and compete for European football. Iraola recently outlined his desire to "close the gap" at the top of the Premier League as he looks to drive ambitious Bournemouth to new heights. He sold following the opening of the club's new £32million training centre: "I think we are lucky to be here in this moment for the club. I think the club is taking steps forward, but also knowing the challenges of the competition. "Every club in the Premier League is very powerful and probably bigger than us. We have to try to reduce this gap. With the new training ground and the improvements to the stadium, I think we are getting closer to the other teams. I always tell the players, the club are giving us everything, so now it's our moment to perform."
Metro
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Andoni Iraola makes shock admission over Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid links
Real Madrid are negotiating personal terms with Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen (Picture: Getty) Andoni Iraola admits a part of him would be 'happy' to see Dean Huijsen leave Bournemouth to join Real Madrid. Huijsen has been nothing short of a revelation since swapping Juventus for Bournemouth last summer, establishing himself as one of the most promising young centre-backs in world football. The 20-year-old will no doubt be desperate to end his debut season at the Vitality Stadium on a high, with the Cherries facing Manchester City and Leicester in their last two remaining matches. But there is mounting speculation that Huijsen will soon be set for the exit door at Bournemouth, as Europe's elite battle it out to capture the defender's services. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been credited with a strong interest in signing Huijsen in recent weeks, but the latest reports suggest Real Madrid have muscled their way to their front of the queue. Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. It's understood Madrid are ready to pay Huijsen's £50million release clause in full and the La Liga giants are close to agreeing personal terms with the Spain international. Asked if he would give Huijsen any advice over a proposed move to the Bernabeu, Iraola told The Sports Agents: 'If they need my help, I will try to assist them and I will try to give them my opinion, obviously. Huijsen has a £50m release clause at the Vitality Stadium (Picture: Getty) Iraola says he would be partly 'happy' to see Huijsen move to Madrid (Picture: Getty) 'There is a part that also you are happy. 'If this move happens, you appreciate also how we've been able to help these players in this process and help them make such a big move. 'It's also good for the other players to know that, how big a jump [they can make].' The centre-back has been capped twice by the Spanish national team (Picture: Getty) Iraola underlined that Bournemouth could only be used as a stepping stone for bigger and better things if the player in question applies himself in the right way. 'The problem is that you have to perform!' Iraola explained. 'That's the most important thing for us, what they do while they are with us, and Dean has been fantastic.' The youngster has refused to drawn on speculation over his future (Picture: Getty) Huijsen has been eager to block out the noise over his future, with tenth-placed Bournemouth still in a battle for European football. 'I think I'm pretty relaxed. I'm just a chill guy, just as my celebration is,' the youngster told Sky Sports following his impressive performance in Bournemouth's recent win over Arsenal. 'I don't really think about it too much. I just go to training every morning. 'We have a great group, great staff, great everything at the club and I just enjoy my football, enjoy myself. 'At the moment, I'm just having fun playing football and, yeah, it's going well so I'm really happy.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Arrow MORE: Arsenal icon tired of club's failures and urges them to act this summer Arrow MORE: Alan Shearer urges Newcastle to rival Arsenal for 'excellent' £85m forward
The Star
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Europe's top table beckons
Results of Premier League fixtures at Vitality Stadium and St James' Park could go a long way towards dictating who will be playing Champions League football next season and who will not. At the Vitality, Bournemouth host seventh-place Aston Villa in the late kick-off today, while at St James' Park, fourth-place Newcastle United welcome Chelsea, fifth in the standings. And with England assured of five berths in the Champions League, these clubs have much to play for, as do Manchester City who are third with 64 points, and Nottingham Forest in sixth place with 61, just one point ahead of Villa. Bournemouth, for heroics punching well above their weight, are eighth on the table, with 53 points. They are in a good position to secure a spot in European football next season, which will be granted to the top 10, as things stand. Andoni Iraola, one of the standout managers of this campaign, knows that four points from their remaining three matches might be enough for them to all but nail down a place for continental football next season. Like Fulham, in 11th place and two points adrift, Bournemouth have Man City still to come, so a decent result against Villa could prove crucial to their ambitions of playing in Europe. The Cherries' victory over Arsenal last weekend and the drawn game with Manchester United prior to that will have given Iraola's side a massive lift as they intensify their bid to qualify for Europe for the first time. Success in their endeavours will see Bournemouth play in either the UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League next season. The Vitality Stadium, though, needs some work done to meet UEFA specifications. Failing that, it is understood that Southampton's St Mary's might be an alternative venue. The Saints, rock bottom at the Premier League, will be relegated at the end of this season. Unai Emery's Villa squad also know that defeat today will almost certainly scupper their chances of a Champions League place, even if they are only three off fifth-placed Chelsea. Thus, this fixture has the potential of being a real cracker, and so too does the one at St James' Park. A win for either Newcastle or Chelsea, one feels, would leave them on the threshold of Champions League qualification. With both sides on 63 points and three games to go, they will obviously give it all they have got. And why not? Chelsea were expected to rest a few key players for the second leg of their UEFA Conference League semifinal clash with Djurgarden FC of Sweden on Thursday evening, given the importance of tomorrow's encounter at Newcastle. The Blues went into that game with a comfortable 4-1 lead from the first leg and with four wins from four. That confidence level will also have been boosted by their triumph over newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool. While some have alluded to Liverpool having become complacent after capturing their record-equalling 20th league title the week before, Chelsea's win was still a win, and that is the underlying thing here – it was a case of taking all three important points. Not only are Newcastle and Chelsea tied on points in fourth and fifth respectively, but they also have the same goal difference: 21. The Magpies are ahead, though, by virtue of having scored more goals – 66, with 45 conceded, while Chelsea have 62 for and 41 against. Cole Palmer seems to come good at just the right time for the Blues, having seen his form dip and the goals dry up somewhat over a worrying patch. He ended a 12-game goal drought against Liverpool last weekend, knocking home a last-minute penalty in their 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge. It left many to observe that the lad was looking back to his best again – playing with renewed confidence. Chelsea will need Palmer and company on top of their game against a side that will be spearheaded by Alexander Isak, one of Europe's leading strikers this season. And with both sides eyeing continental football, along with the other protagonists, we could be in for a weekend of unbridled action.
