Bournemouth confirm the immediate appointment of Andoni Iraola after sacking head coach Gary O’Neil less than 7 months in charge.
O’Neill took over as interim boss following the sacking of Scott Parker in August and was given an 18-month deal in November and managed to keep them up.
O’Neill picked up 36 points during his time in charge and guided the club to finishing 15th in the Premier League last season.
We can confirm that we’ve parted company with head coach Gary O’Neil.
We’d like to place on record our thanks to Gary and wish him all the best for the future.
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) June 19, 2023
STATEMENT:
We can today confirm we have parted company with head coach Gary O’Neil.
Gary leaves the club after overseeing 37 matches last season, initially on an interim basis before being formally appointed to his first head coaching role in November.
A return of 10 wins and six draws in the Premier League was enough to maintain the club’s position in the top flight, effectively securing survival with four matches remaining following a memorable run of results in April.
AFC Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley explained: “Gary’s achievement last season is one I will always be grateful for. This has been a difficult decision, but it has been made with great consideration to best position ourselves ahead of the coming season.
“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.
“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. I would like to place on record my thanks to Gary and wish him all the best for the future.”
The appointment of a new head coach will be announced imminently.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club’s new head coach.
Welcome to #afcb, Andoni 🤝
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) June 19, 2023
NEW MANAGER CONFIRMED:
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club’s new head coach on a two-year deal.
Andoni arrives at Vitality Stadium following the expiry of his contract at Rayo Vallecano, where a successful three-year spell ended with an 11th-placed finish in La Liga last season.
He earned promotion to the top flight in his first season with the Madrid club in 2020/21, before taking the team to the Copa Del Rey semi-finals in the following campaign.
He had previously taken Segunda División side Mirandés to the same stage of the domestic cup in 2019/20, for only the second time in the club’s history. He started his managerial career in Cyprus with AEK Larnaca where he led his side in the group stage of the Europa League.
The former right-back enjoyed an impressive and long playing career himself, which included more than 500 appearances for Athletic Bilbao and seven caps for Spain. He also played for New York City FC in their first two seasons in Major League Soccer.
Andoni joins an ambitious AFC Bournemouth side that finished 15th in the Premier League in its first season back in the top flight.
“We’re so excited to welcome Andoni to the club,” AFC Bournemouth owner and chairman 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.”
Andoni starts work with the playing squad and backroom staff at the beginning of pre-season in July. He will have an early look at his new team before heading to a warm-weather training camp in Marbella, with the Cherries facing Hibernian and Maccabi Tel Aviv in the first two pre-season friendly matches on the 13th and 16th July respectively.
Andoni’s first taste of a Vitality Stadium match day will come at the end of July, with the club hosting Atalanta and FC Lorient before the visit of West Ham United to start the Premier League campaign a week later.
Here’s what fans are saying as Bournemouth confirm the immediate appointment after sacking head coach Gary O’Neil…
@wearelutontown: 😳 Seems a tad harsh.
@QPRTravels: I’m shocked.
@afcbfan_hw: Our first foreign manager and tbh I’m excited about this. His attacking style of play in particular intrigues me so bring it on 🍒🍒 #AFCB
@JayVtid: Mad decision you will later regret.
@BryWatsonLOV: As I Leeds fan I am gutted, well done Bournemouth. Quality manager
@CathalRobinson: Awful decision and very harsh, kept Bournemouth in the league comfortably
@Josephlufc10: Unbelievable manager, well done lads. Sigh…
@BurtonLeon_: Literally never wanted a club to get relegated as much as Bournemouth after this, shocking
@SamuelJRoots: At least I won’t have to listen to the fans boo his tactics when we ultimately get off to a slow start. Thank you Gary for your time at the club, worked wonders. I can only imagine we have someone big lined up. #afcb
@ctsmclovinya: Umm… Sorry? Is there any specific reason for this?? Gary worked wonders, unless there’s some massive controversial news story about to break, I genuinely don’t get this 😬 Might end up underestimating you guys again…
@Itscn7: This genuinely makes no sense
@JacobLawrenceee: Respect it tbh, shows the club actually has some ambition and just doesn’t want to take survival as the goal and want to push on
@ChrisBessex: Talk about rolling the dice. I wouldn’t have given you a sniff of staying up when he was appointed and came in, adapted and overcame. Better hope the next guy can work out what he wants to do with this squad quick.
@BmthuntilIdie: Absolutely no messing about. I rate this from Foley. Like you I’ve never heard of him, but the swift action is refreshing. #afcb
@charleybcafc: There’s reasons for this clearly, he did well last season keeping Bournemouth up in the premier league. Heard he’s meant to have been having private talks with Leeds United about becoming there next manager. #lufc
@AFCBGGO: A legend in my eyes, overcame so much doubt (including myself regretfully) and kept us up. Thank you Gary! 🥹
@RP_Field: Deserve relegation next season for this. He literally proved every single fan and pundit wrong… way to thank him!
@Doug_mcfc: Sounds to me like he told the club what was needed , what he wanted and they said no and parted company. Does seem a bizarre decision.
@markydh: Fair enough. Will be a very good appointment for them. We were never getting him as a Championship club in any case #lufc
@_ChristopherJP: Wow. One of the managers of the season. Something must have gone on behind the scenes? Thanks Gary and really hope recruitment aligns with the seemingly huge ambition. Going to need a new stadium as limited scope to expand this one North or East!
@HotspurEdition: Truly embarrassing.
@pompeanut1898: Wow!!! Wasn’t expecting that!
@AFCJosh9: Embarrassing. O’Neil did an amazing job last year and arguably could have been manager of the season
@BoxingShrew: That seems incredibly harsh 😂
@FoxPaddo: Wow! Considering where you were when he took over compared to where you finished, to say it’s harsh is an understatement. Good luck to the next guy……
@SamuelJRoots: Vamos! The clubs first ever foreign manager, who knows what to expect but I wouldn’t mind a bit of ambition in the cups! #afcb
@tedffc: Class appointment Bournemouth have good vision at the club fair play 👍🏼
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