AFC Bournemouth continues to defy expectations, proving once again that their rise has no limits. From their humble roots in League Two to their current standing as Premier League disruptors, the Cherries have shattered every ceiling placed above them.
Back in 2015, Eddie Howe accomplished the impossible by guiding Bournemouth from the lower leagues to the Premier League. With a modest 11,307-seater stadium and a history largely spent in the third tier, few gave them a shot at survival.
Yet, Howe kept them in the top flight for five seasons, even securing a ninth-place finish and beating English football’s elite along the way. But reality eventually caught up, and relegation followed in 2020.
However, Bournemouth bounced back just two years later under Scott Parker. After a brief stint with Gary O’Neil, the club turned to Andoni Iraola, who has since reinvented them into a team capable of upsetting giants.
It hasn’t been a smooth journey. Under Parker, Bournemouth suffered a humiliating 9-0 defeat to Liverpool, and O’Neil was brought in simply to avoid relegation. That makes Iraola’s impact even more impressive—his tactical brilliance has transformed Bournemouth from survivors
Speculation linking Iraola to the Tottenham job is an insult to the work he’s done on the south coast. Spurs have become synonymous with underachievement, and Iraola need only look at Dominic Solanke—who left Bournemouth for Tottenham—to see that a move to a bigger club doesn’t guarantee success.
Rather than jumping ship, Iraola has every reason to stay. His tactical innovations and ability to maximize his squad’s potential have made Bournemouth one of the most exciting teams in the league. Sticking around could lead him to an even more prestigious opportunity in the future.
Tottenham, despite their ‘Big Six’ status and past European Super League ambitions, are enduring a disastrous season. Sitting in 15th place, they have struggled under Ange Postecoglou, who continues to blame injuries for their decline.
Yet Bournemouth, dealing with their own crisis, have managed to thrive. Key players like Evanilson, Enes Unal, Marcos Senesi, and Adam Smith have all been sidelined, forcing Iraola to rely on academy players. That hasn’t stopped them from surging to seventh place, just one point off the top four.
Their latest statement win—a 5-0 demolition of Champions League hopefuls Nottingham Forest—showed their resilience. Meanwhile, Spurs continue to flounder, proving that excuses only go so far.
Bournemouth’s success isn’t just about effort—it’s a result of Iraola’s innovative tactics. His adaptable style has led to stunning victories over Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham, Manchester United, and Newcastle. A win over Liverpool this weekend could further cement their status as Europe’s surprise package.
Against Nottingham Forest, Iraola deployed winger Dango Ouattara as a striker, resulting in a hat trick. In an earlier clash with Newcastle, midfielder Lewis Cook was deployed as a right-back and excelled in the role.
Iraola’s tactical flexibility, heavily influenced by his time under Marcelo Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao, sets him apart from more rigid managers like Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
Unlike those who focus on control, Iraola’s Bournemouth thrive in chaos. His high-pressing, man-to-man defensive strategy has made them one of the hardest-working teams in the league, often scoring late goals that break opponents’ spirits.
Much of Bournemouth’s transformation has been fueled by smart recruitment. Backed by their ambitious American ownership and football director Tiago Pinto, they have assembled an impressive squad without breaking the bank.
Recent signings like Milos Kerkez, Ilya Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, Antoine Semenyo, and Justin Kluivert cost a combined £64.3m—a fraction of what bigger clubs spend on individual players.
These talents are flourishing under Iraola, attracting interest from Europe’s elite, including Real Madrid, who are reportedly keeping tabs on 19-year-old defensive sensation Huijsen.
Despite his growing reputation, Iraola should think twice before leaving Bournemouth. The club’s hierarchy has shown unwavering support, even after the departure of key players like Solanke. That kind of stability is rare—especially at a club like Tottenham, where chairman Daniel Levy has a history of turbulent managerial relationships.
Spurs’ toxic environment is well-documented, with Antonio Conte’s infamous 2023 rant exposing deep-rooted issues. Iraola would be risking everything to step into that chaos.
Instead, he has the chance to write the next chapter of Bournemouth’s fairytale—potentially leading them to European football for the first time in their 126-year history. Some jobs may be bigger, but few are better than the one he has right now.