Andoni Iraola has surged into contention as a potential successor to under-fire West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui.
With Lopetegui under mounting pressure ahead of Monday night’s crucial Premier League clash against Newcastle, speculation surrounding his future is intensifying. The Spaniard’s job appears to hang by a thread, and bookmakers are constantly adjusting the odds on who might replace him.
Attention has turned to Bournemouth manager Iraola, who has impressed in his short time in England. But it’s his stellar track record in Spain that makes him a standout candidate.
In 2021, Iraola guided Rayo Vallecano to La Liga promotion and established them as a competitive force, even pushing for European qualification—a remarkable feat for a club accustomed to battling relegation. His attractive, effective style of play drew widespread acclaim.
Before that, Iraola made waves at Mirandés, a second-division side he led to the Copa del Rey semi-finals in 2019. This success earned him a move to Vallecano, where he further enhanced his reputation by toppling Barcelona three times and Real Madrid once during his tenure. Incredible.
Known for his tactical versatility, Iraola has a knack for taping into the potential of wide players and adapting his team’s approach based on the game’s demands, balancing possession play with a more direct style when needed. In essence, the Bournemouth gaffer is something of a pragmatist and not wedded to a single ideology.
There is little doubt in my mind that Iraola would get West Ham moving in the right direction both in the short and the long-term. He is contracted until the end of next season meaning his compensation package should not be too prohibitive either.
