Andoni Iraola watches his best Bournemouth moments and shares farewell message to fans

Andoni Iraola watches his best moments in his time at AFC Bournemouth and shares an emotional farewell message to the fans.

The 43 year old Spaniard gave a final interview with AFCBTV, looking back on his three year spell with the Cherries, from their rise in the Premier League to Europa League qualification.

He also reflected on his favourite moments at the club, the games that meant the most, the memories, the philosophy and tactics.

The interviewer begins: “Andoni, thank you very much for your time one last time. I know you’ve spoken so eloquently to every media outlet under the sun about your time at the club.

“So we’re going to try something a bit different. We’re going to try and show you some of your best moments here at AFC Bournemouth over the last three seasons.

“But just before we get into that, could you just, you probably had this question a thousand times, could you just sum up your time here in one word for us?”

Andoni: “I think I’ve enjoyed it. I think joy because it’s difficult in my position to enjoy because we have the pressure we need to get the results but I feel like I’ve been very lucky to be in this moment of the club, like guiding these players, I’ve had special players, I’ve been in a moment where the club is growing, I feel not just in the football side everyone is hungry, is ready to improve everything in all departments and is lovely to work and come to work every day when everyone wants to do their job properly. That is very simple but at the end it helps a lot in in most of the things.”

Interviewer: “Joy is a good word.. We’ll hopefully show you some joyous moments here. So, if you could just start with the first one, please Andoni…”

Timestamps for video interview above –

0:00 Introduction
1:30 Burnley 2-1 (H)
2:46 Man United 3-0 (A)
5:10 Luton 4-3 (H)
7:53 Forest 3-2 (A)
9:53 Everton 3-2 (A)
14:23 Arsenal 2-0 (H)
15:31 Man City 2-1 (H)
18:01 Newcastle 4-1 (A)
21:11 Liverpool 3-2 (H)
22:54 Arsenal 2-1 (A)
27:12 Emotions and summary

 

Interviewer: “And just finally, you mentioned some of the backroom staff there. It’s not just about you know the the standards that you drive the team with. You know, it’s camaraderie as well. Football trivial with the lads. Everything off the pitch as well really matters. And this group of staff and yourself have been a really special group, haven’t they?”

Andoni: “Yes. You know, but you’ve been involved. No, we play football trivia, we play games, we I don’t know, we joy with the apple crumble when we go to the hotels. What hotel has the best apple crumble? Things that we enjoy also with the staff.

“And I think I’ve said it in a lot of interviews but is the truth. I will miss the every day here because it’s very difficult to go to your job at the end, we go to work, we are professional, I go here and I come every day and we have problems, we have things to solve, we have things to prepare, we have we have to talk with players, we have to but I feel like we are going to solve it, we are going to be helping each other, we are going to find ways. There is atmosphere in this club that everyone wants to contribute and this is not easy to find and it’s true that I don’t know, we will miss a lot of the players, the moments but I think the everyday, the relationships here, in especially in this new training ground, I think it’s going to be the the thing that I’m going to miss more.

Interviewer: “Well just to say a massive thank you for your time and thank you for the memories, I’m sure the support, you know what the supporters think of you, I think the world of you, but yeah just thank you very much for helping to be a part to changing the trajectory of this football club.”

Andoni: “Really, thank you. I appreciate it. I feel like I owe a lot of things to this club, to this to this city, no?

“And I was so happy when we got this European qualification because at the end I live like okay at least I can give back, at least I know this new challenge, this new adventure is going to be massive for the club and I will be also following it join it for sure and I hope know the club goes in the right direction. I think we are in very good hands. I think the the the people that works here know what they are doing. Also, I think the new manager is very good, very good. And I’m sure things are going to be very good.”

Here’s the social media reaction after Andoni Iraola watches his best Bournemouth moments and shares farewell message to fans…

@PhilMcGInItaly: As Shakespeare wrote, ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow’. All the best ‘gaffer’ and thanks for everything. 🍒🍒🍒

@RileyByron37817: Oh my there is so much dust in the air and my wife won’t stop chopping 🧅

@DaveAnd13745231: Every now and then, if you’re lucky, someone really special turns up. I mean REALLY lucky and special, and we’ve been blessed with two. 🍒 #afcb

@JPutc08: Proper tearjerker. Will always love that man! Wish you all the best Andoni. ❤️ #afcb

@AFCB19: A special man and we have all been so lucky to enjoy this period. Thank you so much for so many amazing memories 🍒

Paul Djemaa: All the best….. Uve raised the levels more than I could expect… Legend 🍒

Tony Pidgley: Will be interesting to see where he goes….. Whoever gets him gets a brave / organized / risk it to win it sorta manager… All the best fellar……

Mike Clark: Maybe, one day, we will finally learn why Andoni walked away from everything he worked so hard to accomplish. It can’t be the money, I’m sure Bill Foley would match any potential offer from other Clubs. It can’t be the dressing room atmosphere, it’s obvious that our players work together as teammates and friends, on and off the pitch. It can’t be the backroom staff, they all love him and are sad to see him go. It can’t be the loss of several key players, in the last 12 months, as he has taken us into Europe without them. Is it the ‘lure’ of a ‘bigger’ Club? Those ‘giants’ expect instant results or the gaffer is out, quicker than he came in! Added to that, a lot of their squads are stuffed full of competing egos, prima-donnas who cause troubles behind the scenes. Owners who meddle in the day to day operations of the coaching staff, plus the added pressure from constant media engagements and speculations. Or has Andoni come to the conclusion that the Club needs something, and someone different to take us to the next level? Does he fear losing the respect and admiration of the players and fans, if we have a bad run of form, trying to shoehorn all these extra fixtures, with a squad that currently has a few gaps in key areas? One day, he may tell us. Until then, we move on, under the stewardship of Marco Rose, and see where the journey takes us!

Sarah Thompson: Thank you for achieving what seemed like the impossible! Wishing you and your family every happiness for the future.

Caz Dear: Hopefully one day u will come back home here x all the best to you and your family. Up the Cherries

Liam Humby: Thank you ANDONI IRAOLA good luck in the future