Predicted Position: 15th (NB: This prediction represents the average of our writers’ tips and may not be the same as Ben Fisher’s prediction)
Last season, Bournemouth made some surprising moves, making statements that raised eyebrows. They appointed Andoni Iraola, their first foreign manager, as head coach and brought in players like Milos Kerkez and Justin Kluivert, who have impressive backgrounds. But their summer business is not over yet, as they are still looking to add a midfielder to their squad.
Iraola got acquainted with Eddie Howe when the former Bournemouth manager visited him in Madrid at Rayo Vallecano. They had a discussion about Howe’s successful strategies against Chelsea. Iraola also sought advice from Jason Tindall, Howe’s long-time assistant, when he started his job in Dorset. This 41-year-old manager is well-versed in the club’s culture and familiar with the challenges of being the underdog.
Bournemouth closely followed Iraola’s progress at Vallecano, where he achieved remarkable results with a limited budget. His team even defeated Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga last season. During his three years at the club, Vallecano paid transfer fees for six players. Despite being easy to please in some ways, Iraola is a demanding coach. In his first training session, he introduced a multi-ball system, relentlessly feeding balls into passing drills.
Watching Iraola explain his pressing methodology to assistant coach and former Bournemouth defender Shaun Cooper was enlightening. He emphasized the importance of staying aggressive and not retreating backwards during pressing. “If I start going [backwards] and you stay behind, we are dead, we will never recover the ball,” Iraola said. His attacking philosophy is influenced by his playing experience under Marcelo Bielsa. Last season, only Southampton and Leeds had worse defensive records than Bournemouth, and they also conceded the most goals from set pieces. However, Iraola believes that a proactive attacking approach will be their best defensive strategy this season.
If Jürgen Klopp is known as a heavy-metal manager, then Andoni Iraola can be described as rock ‘n roll. This hands-on coach, who is considered one of Europe’s most exciting managers, maintains a relentless tempo in training by constantly feeding balls onto the pitch. It’s no surprise that he is a follower of Marcelo Bielsa. In terms of tactics, Iraola prefers an adventurous style over defensive-minded strategies. He became the fourth Premier League manager from the Basque province of Gipuzkoa in June. He played alongside Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso in the youth team of San Sebastian side Antiguoko. He completed his coaching license alongside Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and is a passionate fan of cycling and the NFL.
David Brooks has experienced a remarkable journey since joining Bournemouth as a young winger five years ago. His bond with the Bournemouth supporters has grown stronger, especially after his return to the first team following a battle with Hodgkin lymphoma. His comeback at Villa Park in April touched the entire footballing community. However, Brooks doesn’t want sympathy and expects to be treated like any other player. He has made his comeback for Wales and had an impressive pre-season, leaving fans excited for his performances.
Jefferson Lerma became a fan favorite despite the language barrier, but his departure created a void in the team. However, goalkeeper Neto, a larger-than-life personality, has quickly become another popular South American player in the squad. The former Brazil international, who has played for clubs like Juventus and Valencia, joined Bournemouth for free last summer. Although initially seen as a backup, he established himself as the team’s No. 1 goalkeeper. Neto signed a three-year contract in March and replaced Lloyd Kelly as captain. He expressed his gratitude for the fans’ warm welcome and support. Full-back Adam Smith is also edging towards earning a testimonial for his loyalty to the club.
Bournemouth’s results last season were disappointing, but there is hope for improvement. One player to watch is Illya Zabarnyi, a talented center-back known for his skills in the popular video game Football Manager. Bournemouth announced his signing in January using the game’s graphics. Zabarnyi, who joined from Dynamo Kyiv, has Champions League experience and is known for his ability to play with the ball. He played in every game for Ukraine at Euro 2022, where they reached the quarter-finals and lost to England. This season could be the one where Zabarnyi secures a spot in the starting lineup and proves his worth.
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