Andoni Iraola seems like he has his head screwed on. Speak to those at Bournemouth and they describe a down to earth guy without a shred of ego.
And Bournemouth are banking on Iraola staying true to his low maintenance self in the coming months. Because the Spaniard’s reputation is flourishing. The admiration, how ever unwanted from Bournemouth’s perspective, is growing.
For clubs the size of Bournemouth, that is the price of success. They sit seventh in the Premier League, a point off fifth which could guarantee a Champions League place next season, and are on the brink of European football for the first time in their 126-year history. And it isn’t only their brilliant young manager who has caught the attention.
Their Rolls Royce centre back Dean Huijsen is on the radar of England’s biggest clubs – Chelsea among the teams interested. Winger Antoine Semenyo, Huijsen’s centre back partner Illia Zabarnyi and Hungary left back Milos Kerkez are also attracting glances from elsewhere.
If all four are still on the south coast next season then Bournemouth will have had an astonishingly successful summer window, regardless of incomings.
But it’s their brilliant Basque manager’s head the Cherries should be most concerned about turning. Iraola’s stock is rising at a rapid pace.
Andoni Iraola is the hottest managerial property in the Premier League this season
Iraola has led Bournemouth to seventh and the brink of European football for the first time
And to think English football (me included) frenziedly questioned the merits of Bournemouth’s decision to sack Gary O’Neil, who successfully kept the club in the Premier League just weeks earlier, in June 2023 to make way for Iraola, who arrived from Rayo Vallecano.
Leeds and Crystal Palace had both shown varying degrees of interest in Iraola before Bournemouth took the plunge – but the Spaniard was a virtual unknown to us before then-Cherries sporting director Richard Hughes, since poached by Liverpool, recommended the coach to owner Bill Foley.
We all know who he is now, of course. With his eye catching brand of high-risk, high-press football, Iraola is the name on the lips of boardroom executives across the Premier League.
Clubs in his homeland are also taking notice, too. There will come a time when Iraola outgrows Bournemouth if his career trajectory continues to rise in the fashion it has.
Those at the Vitality Stadium realise the current direction of travel, though they believe they can keep the wolves from the door a little longer yet.
In the event of Tottenham parting with Ange Postecoglou, expect Iraola to be towards the top of their preferred shortlist. That said, don’t expect Iraola to jump ship should Spurs decide enough is enough – and certainly not during the season.
Besides his obvious aptitude for the job, there are other factors that make Iraola such an intriguing proposition. For example, the Spaniard heads into the final 12 months of his contract at the end of this season – an enticing scenario for any suitor as it will not cost top dollar to get him out of his current contract.
The smart money is on Bournemouth seeking to resolve that contractual uncertainty sooner rather than later with the offer of another 12-month extension – though sources have indicated that discussions over a deal are yet to get underway.
If Ange Postecoglou departs Tottenham, expect Iraola to be at the top of their shortlist
Postecoglou’s Spurs are 13 points and seven places behind Bournemouth this season
It should also be pointed out that Iraola, historically, has never worked to long contracts, choosing instead to sign shorter-term deals. Nevertheless the longer there isn’t a visible commitment by Iraola to Bournemouth, the more encouragement it may offer to rival clubs.
Bournemouth, though, are comfortable in their belief that Iraola knows he is on to a good thing on the south coast. He’s moulded a young and vibrant team in his own image. This team, provided they can keep it together, is just getting started. Why would he walk away from that?
If Tottenham do come for Iraola, the attraction is clear; a globally recognised football club with an infrastructure to rival the very best on the planet. But Tottenham’s most recent history tells us that doesn’t necessarily translate to success on the pitch.
Despite his unassuming nature, Iraola would back himself to be a success at Spurs. But he is also intelligent enough to grasp the obstacles that may prevent him form achieving his goals in north London.
Oh and Bournemouth are currently 13 points clear of 14th-placed Tottenham. Indeed, if Iraola plays his cards right there will likely be even bigger opportunities on the horizon in the future.
Some offers are simply too good to refuse, of course. For instance, if Athletic Bilbao knocked on his door one day, you’d imagine he’d find it difficult to turn down given his emotional ties to a club he played over 400 matches for.
A chance to compete in the Champions League, perhaps, may tempt Iraola, who spent time at Manchester City’s sister club New York City FC from 2015 to 2016. But given their current state, Spurs would represent a risk for Iraola.
For now though, Bournemouth’s modest head coach has his sights set on history and success beside the sea. If he continues as he is, Bournemouth should enjoy him while they can.
Iraola may find it hard to turn down Athletic Bilbao, who he played more than 400 games for
The Basque defender was a solid right back for Bilbao after joining them aged 17 in 1999
FA swoop on Merseyside rivals after brawl
The FA will today consider referee Michael Oliver’s report and review video footage of the post-match mayhem that overshadowed last night’s Merseyside derby before deciding on potential charges for both clubs.
The governing body will be led by the details included in Oliver’s report as they consider what action to take against Liverpool and Everton for the chaotic scenes after the final whistle.
But the FA will also analyse video footage of the melee that marred the dramatic 2-2 draw at Goodison Park ahead of confirming any charge sheet.
Both sets of players became embroiled in a brawl after Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure were involved in an angry confrontation after the latter appeared to goad Liverpool fans after the final whistle.
Curtis Jones (in red) and Abdoulaye Doucoure (right) brawled at the final whistle at Goodison
Arne Slot was sent off for what he said to referee Michael Oliver and will serve a two-game ban
With that in mind, there appears a good chance that both clubs will asked to respond to accusations – and a possible charge – of failing to control their players.
Jones and Doucoure were both sent off after the confrontation, while Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulsoff were also shown red cards by Oliver after the final whistle.
Fears Ndiaye suffered ligament damage
Everton forward Illman Ndiaye will undergo scans on Thursday amid concerns he has suffered knee ligament damage in Wednesday’s fiery Merseyside derby.
The 24-year-old was visibly distressed as he limped off in the first half of the 2-2 draw raising concerns he has suffered a serious injury.
Mail Sport understands that initial tests will look to determine if he has extended his right medial ligament.
The Senegal international, Everton’s top scorer this season with eight goals, will be examined fully in over the next 48 hours, with he first set of tests due to take place today.
But it appears certain that Ndiaye will miss at least this Saturday’s clash versus Crystal Palace, while any severe ligament damage would see the impressive midfielder spend an extended period on the sidelines.
Iliman Ndiaye was stretchered off in the first half of Everton’s fiery 2-2 draw with Liverpool
Hurzeler was nearly a Hammer
Tim Steidten identified now Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler as a potential replacement for David Moyes last summer.
As this column revealed last month, Steidten had been under huge pressure to keep his job as technical director at the London Stadium, with the German’s departure confirmed last week.
And it can now be revealed that Steidten pinpointed Hurzeler as a potential candidate to replace Moyes last summer before the club eventually appointed Julen Lopetegui.
German coach Hurzeler was a relative unknown prior to his appointment at Brighton. But the 31-year-old’s accomplishments in securing St Pauli promotion into the Bundesliga last season was admired by his countryman Steidten.
Following a positive start to life at the Amex Stadium, Hurzeler has struggled to maintain his bright opening, which has been followed by a run of just two wins in 12 Premier League games.
Why Dowman can’t bail out Arsenal …yet
Arsenal teenager Max Dowman is currently prevented from making his Premier League debut due to red tape as the Gunners look for solutions to their attacking injury crisis.
Top-flight regulations state that ‘a player placed in an age group below Under 16 shall not be named in a club’s team sheet or participate in a league match’.
And 15-year-old Dowman, despite regularly training with the first team and turning out for the Arsenal’s Under 21s this season, was officially named in the Gunners’ U15s squad for the current season meaning he is currently ineligible for the first team.
Max Dowman (left) with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly on Arsenal’s trip to Dubai
Dowman has been a regular in first-team training but cannot yet play in the Premier League
Arsenal may have the opportunity to request special dispensation to use the gifted attacker given their current predicament, but it is not clear whether the Premier League would accept any application.
Dowman is viewed as one the brightest academy prospects in English football and is regularly training with Mikel Arteta’s first team. He even travelled with the senior squad to Dubai for their winter training camp.
The youngster’s huge potential was underlined this week after he was called up for England Under 17s.
Indeed, the depth of Arsenal’s injury crisis that sees them without Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli has led to calls from some fans for Dowman to be handed his debut. But, as things stand, Premier League rules prevent that from happening.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have an interest in Stoke’s young defender Jaden Dixon following the departure of Ayden Heaven to Manchester United.
Dixon, 17, has already made six senior appearances for Stoke.
Another blow for Van de Ven
Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven is expected to miss this weekend’s clash against Manchester United amid ongoing concerns over his hamstring issues.
Key central defender Van de Ven made his return from a near two-month lay off following a hamstring injury against Elfsborg on January 30.
Micky van de Ven is expected to miss this Sunday’s clash between Tottenham and Man United
But there is better news for Brennan Johnson, who is in with a chance of returning from injury
But he hasn’t played since, with head coach Ange Postecoglou citing the club were ‘managing his minutes’ when he was left out of the squad for the following fixture against Brentford just three days later.
And Van de Ven’s absence is set to continue this weekend, with the Dutch defender set to miss the visit of Ruben Amorim’s team on Sunday as both player and club opt for a cautious approach to his return to action given his long history of hamstring issues.
There is positive fitness news elsewhere, however, with Brennan Johnson, Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert currently rated as possible returners for clash against United.
Transfer window overhaul
There has been significant support for a proposal to overhaul the transfer windows by cutting the winter version to two weeks and shutting the summer one before the season starts – but there is pessimism that the changes will even get off the ground.
It emerged last week that Premier League sporting directors had held talks over possible adjustments to the window, amid an argument that shortening both markets would help prevent disruption to squads during the season whilst protecting the competition’s integrity.
But while the recent discussions between sporting directors saw significant support for the plan to shortening both windows, there remains negativity that enough top-level club executives will approve the proposals.
A source said: ‘Once the plans are taken back to the clubs, we will see many change their stance.’
Deeney’s tireless work ethic
Troy Deeney is taking his work ethic from professional football into his media career.
Troy Deeney has brought his tireless work ethic from his playing career to his punditry
The former Watford striker, known for his prolific finishing and no-nonsense approach during his playing days, was the busiest man at Anfield last Thursday night as Liverpool booked their place in the Carabao Cup final with victory over Tottenham.
Deeney undertook work for broadcasters talkSPORT and CBS Sport on the same night as Arne Slot’s side completed a 4-0 win over Spurs to confirm their spot in the Wembley showpiece against Newcastle.
Deeney was then back in the talkSPORT studios the following morning to dissect the clash at Anfield.
We’ve all heard of player burnout, but pundit burnout?
