Bournemouth have confirmed the appointment of Andoni Iraola as their new manager, just hours after announcing the surprise departure of Gary O'Neil.
The Cherries confirmed O'Neil's departure despite the manager securing the club's Premier League safety following promotion to the Premier League in 2022. The former West Ham midfielder's fate was sealed in a 6am call.
Iraola arrives after impressing in charge of Spanish side Rayo Vallecano. The team finished 12th and 11th in La Liga after winning promotion via the play-offs, but now the former Spain international defender has taken the reins at the Vitality Stadium with time to add to Bournemouth's squad before the new campaign.
"We are delighted to announce the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club's new head coach on a two-year deal," a statement from Bournemouth reads. "Andoni arrives at Vitality Stadium following the expiry of his contract at Rayo Vallecano, where a successful three-year spell ended with an 11th-placed finish in La Liga last season.
"He earned promotion to the top flight in his first season with the Madrid club in 2020/21, before taking the team to the Copa Del Rey semi-finals in the following campaign. He had previously taken Segunda División side Mirandés to the same stage of the domestic cup in 2019/20, for only the second time in the club's history. He started his managerial career in Cyprus with AEK Larnaca where he led his side in the group stage of the Europa League.
The former right-back enjoyed an impressive and long playing career himself, which included more than 500 appearances for Athletic Bilbao and seven caps for Spain. He also played for New York City FC in their first two seasons in Major League Soccer. Andoni joins an ambitious Bournemouth side that finished 15th in the Premier League in its first season back in the top flight.
"We're so excited to welcome Andoni to the club," AFC Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley said. "With his contract in Spain coming to an end this summer we wanted to act quickly.
"He was highly sought after by other clubs across the continent, and his style of play has been an important factor in making this decision. His achievements in Spain have certainly been very impressive, and we're confident that he is the right man to lead our next chapter.
"We have identified a number of targets in the transfer market, which along with our January additions will supplement our strong playing squad to give Andoni the best chance to consolidate our Premier League status and keep progressing."
O'Neil had replaced predecessor Scott Parker in August 2022, initially on an interim basis. The 40-year-old led Bournemouth to Premier League safety with time to spare, with the team finishing 15th.
The Cherries will begin the 2023-24 season at home to West Ham United, followed by a trip to a Liverpool side who beat them 9-0 in Parker's last game. Before then, Iraola will have a chance to add to his squad.
Bournemouth will be in pre-season action before welcoming the Hammers to the south coast for Iraola's first league game. Meetings with Lorient and Atalanta have already been announced in advance of the new campaign.
