Ex-Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola appointed new Bournemouth head coach on same day as Gary O'Neil sacking
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ByEurosport
Updated 19/06/2023 at 14:44 GMT
Former Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola has been appointed head coach of AFC Bournemouth following Gary O'Neil's shock dismissal. In a decision that caught most people within football by surprise on Monday afternoon, Bournemouth decided to part ways with O'Neil less than a month after the 40-year-old helped steer the Cherries to Premier League safety with 10 wins and six draws.
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AFC Bournemouth have appointed former Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola as their new head coach, hours after the shock dismissal of Gary O'Neil.
O'Neil was hired at the end of August when the club fired Scott Parker.
After impressing as caretaker boss, the 40-year-old was given a contract until the end of the season with an option for a further 12 months.
The Cherries won 10 games under O'Neil and drew a further six to secure their Premier League safety with four games to spare.
However the club confirmed on Monday morning that they would move on from O'Neil, and later in the day confirmed the arrival of Iraola.
"We're so excited to welcome Andoni to the club," said Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley.
"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."
Former Athletic Bilbao defender Iraola took over at Rayo Vallecano in 2020 and led them to promotion to La Liga in his first season in charge.
They then reached the Copa del Rey semi-finals the following campaign before an 11th-place finish last season.
His arrival caps off a whirlwind day for the Cherries after the surprise dismissal of O'Neil.
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Gary O'Neil was dismissed as Bournemouth head coach less than a month after guiding the Cherries to Premier League safety
Image credit: Getty Images
"Gary's achievement last season is one I will always be grateful for," said Foley.
"This has been a difficult decision, but it has been made with great consideration to best position ourselves ahead of the coming season.
"As a club, we have put plans in place for long-term success with improvements being made to infrastructure, most notably the development of a new state-of-the-art training facility and the ongoing discussions around upgrades to our stadium.
'We have also identified a number of significant targets in the transfer market this summer and believe this change in direction will provide us with the best platform from which to build.
"Gary will go on to have a long career as a head coach or manager, but we feel that, at this moment in time, a change is in the best interests of this football club. I would like to place on record my thanks to Gary and wish him all the best for the future."
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