Andoni Iraola

👤 Coach Bio

Andoni Iraola, a former Athletic Bilbao stalwart and Spanish international, transitioned into coaching with a clear identity formed from both his playing days and managerial stints at Mirandés and Rayo Vallecano. His move to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League has showcased a bold and refreshing approach, transforming the Cherries into an aggressive, tactically sharp outfit. Known for his risk-taking and intensity, Iraola brings a distinct blend of Spanish footballing principles and modern pressing systems.

🧠 Playing Philosophy

Iraola’s philosophy revolves around high-intensity pressing, vertical attacking play, and brave positional structures. He encourages teams to dominate through proactive off-ball movement and quick, decisive ball circulation. It’s a style rooted in risk and reward, seeking to unbalance opponents and capitalise on transitional moments.

🧩 Style of Play

In Possession

Bournemouth under Iraola frequently build in a 3-2 structure with the ball typically pushing a full-back inside to join a pivot alongside a deeper midfielder. This facilitates progression through central corridors or quick switches out wide. His teams mix short passing combinations with direct vertical entries, especially into attacking midfielders or forwards dropping into space.

Build-Up Style: Risk-oriented; not afraid to play through pressure or commit numbers high up the pitch.
Progression: Utilises third-man combinations and quick wall passes to break lines.
Attacking Shape: Often a 3-2-5 when settled, using wide wingers to stretch and isolate 1v1s.

Out of Possession

Defensively, Iraola sets his side in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 mid-to-high block, aiming to trap opponents in wide areas or force central turnovers. The front players are aggressive in pressing triggers, particularly when the ball is played backwards or a centre-back is isolated.

Pressing Style: Ball-oriented, man-to-man principles; high counterpressure when possession is lost.
Defensive Line: High and compact, with minimal space between units to prevent through balls.

Transitional Moments

Attacking Transition: Extremely aggressive. The team looks to play forward immediately upon winning the ball, often through central channels or diagonal runs from wingers.
Defensive Transition: Players react quickly to delay counters, with immediate pressure on the ball and close distances between units to suffocate counter-attacks.

📊 Player Profiles

Iraola’s system demands intelligent, physically capable, and technically clean players:

Full-Backs: Must be versatile - able to invert into midfield or overlap aggressively depending on the phase.
Central Midfielders: Mobile, press-resistant, capable of fast combinations under pressure.
Wingers: Direct, fearless in 1v1 situations, and tactically disciplined to press or recover.
Strikers: Often play with their back to goal but must also be mobile enough to stretch defences.

He favours multi-functional players who can operate across roles within fluid structure

📝 Key Takeaways for Coaches

Train pressing as a team behaviour. Encourage cohesion in timing and triggers, not just intensity.
Use positional rotations to progress play. Iraola’s midfielders and full-backs are constantly interchanging to disorganise opponents.
Transitions are moments of opportunity. Build your sessions to simulate game-speed reactions post-ball recovery or loss.
Adapt your structure. Teach your players when to drop into a 3-2 build shape or switch to a more aggressive 2-3-5 depending on opposition pressure.
Be brave. Iraola’s greatest asset is his commitment to his philosophy, even against stronger opposition.