LAST UPDATE | 19 Jun 2023
BOURNEMOUTH HAVE CONFIRMED former Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola as head coach just two hours after sacking Gary O’Neil.
The Spaniard arrives on the back of an 11th-place finish after earning promotion to LaLiga a season previously.
He replaces O’Neill, who guided the Cherries to Premier League safety last season following the dismissal of Scott Parker at the end of August, on a two-year deal.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club's new head coach.
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) June 19, 2023
Welcome to #afcb, Andoni 🤝
“We’re so excited to welcome Andoni to the club,” owner Bill Foley said. “With his contract in Spain coming to an end this summer 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.
“We have identified a number of targets in the transfer market, which along with our January additions will supplement our strong playing squad to give Andoni the best chance to consolidate our Premier League status and keep progressing.”
Bournemouth confirmed in an earlier statement announcing O’Neil’s departure that a replacement would be revealed imminently, and Foley praised his ability the former manager’s ability to ensure they avoided relegation.
“Gary’s achievement last season is one I will always be grateful for,” Foley said.
“This has been a difficult decision, but it has been made with great consideration to best position ourselves ahead of the coming season.”
O’Neil initially took over from Parker on an interim basis following a 9-0 thrashing at Liverpool before being appointed permanently in November.
The 40-year-old took 36 points from his 34 top-flight games in charge to help the Cherries avoid relegation following promotion from the Championship.
“As a club, we have put plans in place for long-term success with improvements being made to infrastructure, most notably the development of a new state-of-the-art training facility and the ongoing discussions around upgrades to our stadium,” continued the statement from Foley, who completed his takeover of the south-coast club in December.
“We have also identified a number of significant targets in the transfer market this summer and believe this change in direction will provide us with the best platform from which to build.
“Gary will go on to have a long career as a head coach or manager, but we feel that, at this moment in time, a change is in the best interests of this football club.”
