The Athletic FC Podcast Summary: “Iraola: The Next Supercoach?”

Release Date: January 22, 2025

Hosts & Guests:

• Host: Ayo Akinwolere
• Guests:
  • John McKenzie (Iraola Superfan)
  • Dermot Corrigan (Spanish Football Writer)
  • Phil Hay (Lead Writer, The Athletic FC Newsletter)

Introduction

In the episode titled “Iraola: The Next Supercoach?”, Ayo Akinwolere delves deep into the remarkable rise of Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth. Following Bournemouth’s dominant victory over Newcastle, the discussion centers on Iraola's influence, tactical prowess, and the club's potential trajectory under his leadership.

Iraola's Ascension and Background

Timestamp: [01:34 - 04:32]

Dermot Corrigan and Phil Hay provide a comprehensive background on Andoni Iraola’s journey from a respected player to an emerging coaching sensation. Iraola, a long-serving right-back for Athletic Bilbao with over 500 appearances, never fully cemented his place in the Spanish national team but was pivotal at the club under coaches like Ernesto Valverde and Marcelo Bielsa.

Phil Hay notes:

“Iraola was one of the key players in that [Bielsa] team. A leader and a kind of understated leader in the team. Not a big flashy guy, but one of the key members” ([02:26]).

Iraola’s coaching journey took him abroad to New York City and Cyprus before making a significant impact at Rayo Vallecano. His success there, especially leading the club to notable victories over giants like Barcelona and Real Madrid, set the stage for his move to Bournemouth.

Choosing Bournemouth Over Bigger Spanish Clubs

Timestamp: [04:22 - 06:11]

Dermot Corrigan discusses the strategic decision behind Iraola choosing Bournemouth over offers from more prominent Spanish clubs like Leeds:

“Bournemouth didn't look like the sexiest option, but there is a bit of a new wave in the Premier League at the moment...” ([04:32]).

The Premier League’s visibility and financial incentives, coupled with Bournemouth’s openness to Iraola’s tactical vision, made it an attractive destination. Dermot emphasizes that Bournemouth saw the potential in Iraola’s methodologies and aligned their recruitment and club strategy accordingly.

Tactical Philosophy: The Outlier Advantage

Timestamp: [06:34 - 19:41]

John McKenzie introduces Iraola’s unique tactical approach, termed the “outlier advantage.” Instead of conforming to the prevalent trend of controlling games through possession, Iraola focuses on destabilizing opponents by increasing tempo and reducing their time on the ball.

“It's about changing the game state that most teams are used to being in and being better prepared to deal with the chaos when it unfolds.” ([18:15]).

Key aspects of Iraola’s tactics include:

• Aggressive Pressing: A suffocating high press that disrupts opponents’ build-up.
• Direct Attacks: Quick transitions from defense to offense, capitalizing on destabilized opponents.
• Adaptable In Possession: Super direct play from the back, targeting front-line players to win second balls.

Dermot Corrigan adds that Iraola has maintained his tactical identity while also incorporating individual player development, ensuring that his strategies are both team-oriented and conducive to personal growth.

Team Performance and Key Players

Timestamp: [19:41 - 31:02]

The discussion highlights Bournemouth’s impressive turnaround under Iraola:

• From a dismal start with only three points from the first nine matches, Bournemouth climbed to seventh in the Premier League.
• Justin Kluivert emerges as a talismanic figure, scoring crucial goals, including a memorable hat-trick against Newcastle.

John McKenzie observes:

“He's not only improved the team from a collective structural point of view, but I think also individually you can see the signs of his handiwork as well.” ([13:15]).

Other standout players benefiting from Iraola’s coaching include:

• Dom Solanke: Transitioned into a starting forward role with increased effectiveness.
• Ryan Christie: Adapted to a deeper midfield role, becoming the team’s creative hub.
• David Brooks: Emerged from peripheral status to a regular contributor despite initial skepticism.

Defensively, players like Ilya Zabanyi and Dean Hoisen have become stalwarts, ensuring that Bournemouth maintains solidity despite aggressive pressing.

Recruitment Strategy and Club Synergy

Timestamp: [31:02 - 29:19]

Phil Hay and Dermot Corrigan discuss Bournemouth’s strategic recruitment under Iraola’s guidance. The club has focused on:

• Bringing in players aligned with Iraola’s tactical vision.
• Reinforcing key positions with both seasoned and emerging talents like Adam Smith and Milos Kirkes.
• Balancing experienced signings with younger prospects to maintain depth and adaptability.

Phil emphasizes the harmonious synergy between club management and Iraola’s tactical demands:

“They have a kind of laser vision when it comes to finding what It is that Iraola wants in the market.” ([27:50]).

This alignment ensures that Bournemouth not only thrives under current conditions but is also well-prepared for future challenges and potential managerial transitions.

Handling Injuries and Squad Rotation

Timestamp: [24:03 - 35:16]

Bournemouth has navigated significant injury challenges, including losses of key players like Senesi and Tanquart Nevan. However, Iraola’s tactical flexibility allows the team to adapt without compromising performance.

John McKenzie highlights:

“Bournemouth have found a way to destabilize that [opponents' control] and it’s working out well for them.” ([17:39]).

The ability to rotate the squad effectively without dismantling the team’s core strategy is a testament to Iraola’s coaching prowess and Bournemouth’s robust recruitment.

Future Prospects and Iraola’s Potential as a Supercoach

Timestamp: [35:16 - 39:22]

The conversation shifts to Iraola’s future and Bournemouth’s sustainability:

• John McKenzie posits that while Iraola is positioned as a potential supercoach, transitioning to elite clubs will pose new challenges.
• The club is likely preparing a succession plan to ensure that Bournemouth continues to thrive even if Iraola departs for bigger opportunities.

Dermot Corrigan speculates on Iraola’s cautious approach to future moves, suggesting that he prioritizes sustainable growth over immediate high-profile transfers:

“I think Iriola knows he’s onto a good thing there as well. It’s doing him no harm at all.” ([32:03]).

Potential comparisons are drawn between Iraola and other emerging managers like Vincent Kompany and Mikel Arteta, underscoring the importance of continued tactical evolution for long-term success.

Conclusion

The episode encapsulates Andoni Iraola’s rise as a formidable coaching talent in European football. Through strategic recruitment, innovative tactics, and effective squad management, Iraola has transformed Bournemouth into a competitive Premier League side with European aspirations. The podcast concludes on an optimistic note, pondering Iraola’s future trajectory and the potential ripple effects his success could have on coaching paradigms across leagues.

Notable Quotes:

• Phil Hay on Iraola’s Leadership at Athletic Bilbao:
  “He was a key member of the team... hardly a flashy guy, but essential.”
  (02:26)

• Dermot Corrigan on Choosing Bournemouth:
  “Premier League doesn't give you more exposure... plus it pays incredibly well.”
  (04:32)

• John McKenzie on Outlier Advantage:
  “It’s about changing the game state that most teams are used to being in.”
  (18:15)

• Phil Hay on Tactical Adaptability:
  “He looked at what he had, did a huge amount of work on the training ground to install automatons into the team.”
  (10:30)

• John McKenzie on Future Challenges:
  “How does he negotiate that change from being an outlier to becoming one of the mainstream coaches?”
  (33:29)

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the podcast episode, capturing the essence of the discussions around Andoni Iraola’s coaching philosophy, his impact on Bournemouth, and the broader implications for his career and modern football tactics.