Andoni Iraola sack latest: ‘Shock’ Bournemouth verdict emerges
Andoni Iraola is facing growing pressure at Bournemouth after a disappointing run of results despite their strong start to the Premier League season.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that recent results have not been good enough and questions will be asked if they continue.
Iraola has plenty of credit in the bank at the Vitality Stadium after last year’s success, but Bournemouth’s 1-1 draw with Burnley last time out has led to frustrations.
The Cherries have now gone eight games without a victory and dropped 14th place in the league table after inspiring early hopes of qualifying for Europe.
While there is no current threat over Iraola‘s job, and the board are aware that a turbulent summer has impacted his plans, results will be crucial to his future.
Andoni Iraola sack verdict emerges at Bournemouth
Iraola was slammed after Bournemouth lost to Man City last month, with questions about his tactical decisions still lingering after recent results.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience working closely alongside elite-level managers including Sir Alex Ferguson for over a decade at Man United, insisted the boss must put together a run of results to end concerns about his position.
“Yeah, Iraola will come under pressure if this run continues,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s the same for every manager in the Premier League, if you can’t win games, there’s going to be questions asked about your position.
“Bournemouth haven’t won in eight games now, so of course there are some doubts, because they had a strong start to the season before this run.
“So if he wants to dismiss any pressure or suggestions he could be sacked, he has to start winning games.
“I don’t think there’s any immediate threat of him losing his job, he’s got a lot of credit in the bank so it would be a shock if there was.
“The realists, if there are any left in the game, will look at the situation he’s in, all of the players who left in the summer, and the job he’s done in those circumstances.
“Now it’s time for them to get behind him and support him, that would be the sensible reaction and it’s the path I think Bournemouth will take.”
Iraola has no shortage of suitors
Despite newly-emerging speculation surrounding the manager’s future, Bournemouth fought to keep him at the club amid plenty of interest during the summer.
Brown told Football Insider in October that Bournemouth hope to prevent Iraola joining Man United, as he emerged as a contender to replace Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils have now reaffirmed their commitment to their current boss, but remain long-term admirers of the Spaniard for his work on the south coast.
Meanwhile, Tottenham were also considering Iraola as their replacement for Ange Postecoglou, before deciding to push forward with Thomas Frank’s appointment.
Frank is now under pressure at Tottenham, and the interest in the Bournemouth manager could soon be revisited, as he has no shortage of options.
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