Bournemouth have announced that head coach Andoni Iraola has penned a contract extension at the Vitality Stadium.
After an impressive campaign with Rayo Vallecano in 2022-23, Iraola was targeted by the Cherries and he ultimately signed a two-year contract.
There was a time during his early months in charge where it was reported that Bournemouth could make a quick change, a consequence of no wins coming from the opening nine matches.
However, since then, the Spaniard has instigated an unforeseen upturn in fortunes, with Bournemouth having already achieved their highest-ever points total in the Premier League.
With one match remaining, the South Coast outfit have accumulated 48 points from 37 matches, leaving them in 11th position in the standings and still with a chance of a top-half finish.
As a result of the impact the 41-year-old has made, Bournemouth's hierarchy have moved to extend his contract by a further 12 months, keeping him tied to the club until 2026.
Levels 💯 pic.twitter.com/XeVj9l0t9f
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 13, 2024
How has Iraola reacted?
Speaking to the club's official website, Iraola said: "I'm very happy to sign the contract. For me, it is a matter of renewing the confidence from both sides.
"We have had a good experience with our first season together in the Premier League, and I am happy that both sides want to continue the relationship further.
"I'm proud that we achieved the points record. We are playing in a difficult competition, with very good opposition. The season started slowly, but I think we improved a lot and are playing in the right way.
"We have to continue improving the team, because the level of the Premier League is really high, and I'm looking forward to working with Simon and the rest of the team over the summer to help us do that.
"I would like to thank the supporters for everything in our first year together. I am thankful that they were supporting us even in the beginning when we were not winning games, and that they have been very helpful to the players for the whole year."
© Reuters
Lowdown on Bournemouth's season
Despite failing to prevail in any of his first nine matches in the Premier League, Iraola has still been nominated for the division's Manager of the Year award.
That highlights the incredible turnaround with Bournemouth ranked sixth in a Premier League table that runs from October 28, with 45 points coming from 28 matches.
Thirteen victories have been recorded during that time, seven of which have come at the Vitality Stadium, but returning 20 points from 14 away fixtures is perhaps the standout statistic.
Bournemouth have dropped off of late, winning just two of their last seven games, yet they still have the chance to end the season on a high at Chelsea on the final weekend.
Darren Plant
