Bournemouth Under Andoni Iraola: The Premier League’s Dark Horses
How Andoni Iraola has transformed Bournemouth into one of the Premier League’s most exciting and tactically brilliant sides.
Introduction
Bournemouth have quietly emerged as one of the most exciting and hardest-to-beat teams in the Premier League. Under Andoni Iraola, they’re not just playing attractive football—they’re tactically disrupting even the biggest clubs.
Despite sitting fifth in the table, the underlying numbers suggest they should be even higher. They’ve underperformed their expected goals (xG) by an impressive 8 goals difference and expected points (xPTS) while overperforming defensively, a testament to their high-intensity pressing and structured play.
But what makes Bournemouth so dangerous? Let’s dive into how Iraola has transformed this team into one of the toughest opponents in the league.
The Turning Point: Faith in the Process 🔄
At matchday 9 of the 2023-24 season, Bournemouth were languishing in 19th place with just three points from three draws—still without a single win. The pressure on Andoni Iraola was immense. His tactical ideas, imported from Rayo Vallecano, were under scrutiny, and many questioned whether he had the right approach for a relegation battle.
Yet, Iraola never wavered. He believed in the system he was building: high pressing, vertical transitions, and a bold, proactive approach. His players followed suit, staying committed despite the early setbacks. This patience and belief eventually paid off. Bournemouth finished 12th that season, comfortably above the drop zone, and laid the groundwork for this year’s remarkable rise.
That faith in the process became the cornerstone of their transformation. Today, they sit fifth in the Premier League with numbers suggesting they should be even higher. It’s a testament to what can happen when a club trusts the process, even when the results don’t come immediately.
Tactical Execution: Pressing & Quick Transitions
One of the biggest factors behind Bournemouth’s success is their elite pressing system.
🔴 Pressing Machine – Only one team in the Top 5 Leagues wins the ball in the final third more frequently than Bournemouth which are Spurs. Their wingers press narrow to bait passes into wide areas, where they aggressively lock teams in.
⚡ Fast Breaks & Direct Play – Bournemouth waste no time after winning possession. They attack spaces with vertical passing, ensuring they capitalize on unsettled defenses.
🔄 In-Game Adaptability – Iraola isn’t afraid to tweak his system mid-match, often adjusting pressing triggers or switching wingers to gain tactical advantages.
Bournemouth’s ability to adapt within games has made them incredibly difficult to face, as even Pep Guardiola praised their ability to “rise to the rhythm” of matches.
Their ability to smother opponents and transition instantly into attack has led to big wins over top teams, including Arsenal, Manchester United, and even Manchester City.
Squad Evolution: Replacing Solanke & Unlocking New Stars
Bournemouth’s rise is even more impressive given they lost their talismanic striker, Dominic Solanke, to Tottenham last summer. But instead of struggling, Iraola has found new ways to thrive.
🚀 Justin Kluivert’s Resurgence – The Dutchman has been key in Bournemouth’s attack, operating as a roaming No. 10, linking midfield to attack, and thriving in Iraola’s fluid system.
🌟 The Emergence of Milos Kerkez – The young Hungarian full-back has been a revelation, providing attacking width and defensive security. His link-up play in wide areas has been crucial in Bournemouth’s buildup.
⚡ New-Look Attack – Despite Solanke’s departure, Bournemouth’s forward line remains dynamic, with Evanilson leading the charge and supporting runs coming from wingers and attacking midfielders.
Even with key departures, Iraola has kept Bournemouth’s attacking efficiency high while improving their defensive stability—an impressive feat for a team initially expected to struggle.
The Numbers Behind Their Rise
While Bournemouth sit fifth, their underlying stats suggest they should be third in the Premier League table.
📊 Underperforming in Attack – Their xG numbers indicate they should have scored far more goals than they actually have. If they become more clinical in front of goal, they could climb even higher.
🔒 Overperforming Defensively – Their expected goals against (xGA) suggest they should have conceded more, but their structured pressing and defensive organization have helped limit the damage.
⚖️ Key to European Football? – If Bournemouth can improve their finishing while maintaining their defensive solidity, they could make a serious push for European qualification.
Conclusion: A Team Nobody Wants to Face
Andoni Iraola has transformed Bournemouth into one of the most entertaining and tactically sharp teams in the Premier League. They press relentlessly, attack with speed, and defend intelligently.
Despite their underperformance in front of goal, their system is elite—if they find clinical finishing, they could genuinely challenge for a European spot.
Bournemouth took a risk appointing Iraola, but that decision is proving to be a masterstroke. With the youngest squad in the league and a fearless style of play, they’ve become both the best team to watch and the worst team to play against.
What do you think? Can Bournemouth sustain this and push for Europe? Let’s discuss.
Iraola is one of my favourite managers in the league, and it is so impressive that they have improved so much after selling Solanke, arguably their best player last season.