Inside Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth: Intensity, Marcelo Bielsa, Liverpool target's one weakness

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Andoni Iraola has done a brilliant job at Bournemouth, with Liverpool hoping that his work on the south coast can translate to a bigger club playing lots more fixturesAndoni Iraola and some of his players after his final game as Bournemouth head coach(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)When then-Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes made the decision to fire Gary O'Neil in the summer of 2023, the call was met with widespread surprise.Seven months earlier, Scott Parker had been dismissed in the aftermath of the Cherries losing 9-0 against Liverpool, with O'Neil coming in to steady the ship. "He has changed the mindset of the squad and club to look up the table, having been very much a side fighting for survival prior to his arrival."To get Bournemouth to Europe and finish sixth in the Premier League is an achievement that cannot be underestimated — this is a club that only 17 years ago avoided dropping out of the Football League after a 17-point deduction, and has only had nine total seasons in the top flight."But under Iraola and owner Bill Foley, the ambition has been clear — and they've reached European football with a year-and-a-half to spare from Foley's five-year goal when he took over the club."Andoni Iraola on the touchline as Bournemouth's head coach(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)To what extent is that down to Iraola?

"You can see the influence of his time as a player at Athletic Club under the likes of Marcelo Bielsa and Ernesto Valverde on the way he plays, but I also think his man management is excellent, as he has been able to shift the mindset of the club."I think his impact on the squad was made clear by their reaction to the announcement that he would be leaving — they were even more motivated to achieve European football to send Iraola out on a high.Richard Hughes and Andoni Iraola during their time together at Bournemouth(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)"His work with young players, too, is brilliant — he is never afraid to throw young players into games and trusts them and their ability, giving them plenty of opportunity with the team."There will be adaptations that Iraola needs to make should he move to Anfield. He will, for instance, no longer be the underdog."I think one weakness has been, at times, his Bournemouth side's inability to break down low blocks," Smith explains.

But I think he will be able to adapt to the squad he has, and with some key additions, make the progress needed to meet that challenge."His relationship with the Bournemouth fans was excellent; they adore him for what he has achieved at the club. I think they will not begrudge him the step up to Liverpool and will wish him success — although not in the games against Bournemouth!"The obvious answer (in terms of who might benefit from Iraola's arrival) is Kerkez, after he signed from Iraola's Bournemouth last summer.