‘Andoni Iraola to replace Pep Guardiola at Man City after Bournemouth win’
Andoni Iraola is claimed to be first in line to take Pep Guardiola’s job if Bournemouth can pull off a shock win over Man City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Cherries are still in with a shout of qualifying for Europe this season, with the manager being lauded for his work on the south coast, while Guardiola remains under pressure from Man City fans.
Following a run of nine consecutive matches without defeat in all competitions, it seemed as though Champions League qualification was almost guaranteed for the Citizens as the season came to a close.
However, with remaining matches against Bournemouth and Fulham, having drawn against Southampton and lost the FA Cup final in dramatic fashion to Crystal Palace, nothing is certain anymore.
Goals from Liverpool-linked star winger Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson saw the Cherries pick up a 2-1 win against City earlier in the season, and Richard Keys believes a repeat would put Guardiola’s job under threat.
Pep Guardiola under pressure at Man City
Writing on his online blog (19 May), Keys wrote of the cup-final loss: “I think the result also hastens Guardiola’s departure. If they lose to Bournemouth tomorrow, the winning coach will be in pole position to replace him.”
Referring to City’s defeat at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 17 May, the television presenter is clearly suggesting that another defeat could see him replaced by a fellow Spaniard at the end of a dreadful campaign by the usual standards at the Etihad.
| Manager | Games | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % |
| Andoni Iraola | 41 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 42.5 |
| Pep Guardiola | 55 | 29 | 10 | 16 | 52.7 |
Bournemouth to be victims of their own success
Football Insider verdict
It is no surprise to see the Bournemouth boss linked with an exit ahead of the summer transfer window, with Tottenham long being linked with Iraola as an Ange Postecoglou replacement.
The Cherries still have a chance of qualifying for Europe, but with a mixture of remaining fixtures against Man City and Leicester City, they could finish just outside of the needed spots in the Premier League.
A lack of European football could already be enough to persuade Iraola to make a move away from the Vitality Stadium, and being approached by the Citizens would only increase that.
Some Man City fans might already be ready to move on from the Catalan, given some of the poor results this season, but with Kevin De Bruyne confirming his exit, it could be far too emotional for the die-hard fan.
Iraola to the Etihad certainly sounds like a good fit, and the owners have already been given a front-row seat to his capabilities in the dugout, but it is all just a theory from Keys for now.