They've been really good this season. Iraola is doing an excellent job.
Bournemouth
- Thread starter sullydnl
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
Great performance that was. They are quite enjoyable to watch too.
Going into this weekend:
Forest: 3rd in the table, 9th for xG difference. Bournemouth: 8th in the table, 3rd for xG difference.
Those stats reflect what I see when I watch them play too. Forest rightly getting more attention given where they are in the table, but in terms of actual performance levels what Bournemouth are doing looks a lot more sustainable.
With the key caveat that other clubs will be looking to poach some of their key players and manager.
Forest: 3rd in the table, 9th for xG difference. Bournemouth: 8th in the table, 3rd for xG difference.
Those stats reflect what I see when I watch them play too. Forest rightly getting more attention given where they are in the table, but in terms of actual performance levels what Bournemouth are doing looks a lot more sustainable.
With the key caveat that other clubs will be looking to poach some of their key players and manager.
Well deserved, they're definitely punching above their weight class this season. Shades of Bielsa's Athletic Club, who didn't always dominate possession but gave many a top teams, including Manchester United under Fergie in the Europa League, the game of their lives. Interested in seeing how they deal with the departure of Richard Hughes, who is now the Sporting Director of Liverpool (and reportedly played a key role in bringing Slot to the club, as well as as Iraola at Bournemouth). Feel for them too because, as @sullydnl pointed out, the hyenas will be circling, even moreso than usual, ready to tear them limb from limb. Though at the same time, I wouldn't mind being a massive hypocrite, and signing the duo of Huijsen (profiles really well for the central centerback role wrt. stature and technical capabilities) and Kerkez (high-octane option for the left wingback role, with lots of room for growth). Give 'em to us, por favor. 
I posted her before that when Ineos were searching for a new manager last year, Iraola made the shortlist.
I heard this through someone who works on the commercial side of a club in the NW.
I know it's just gossip but it makes sense to me.
He seems to be an excellent manager and one of the best young managers in world football.
I wonder would Tottenham go for him.
I heard this through someone who works on the commercial side of a club in the NW.
I know it's just gossip but it makes sense to me.
He seems to be an excellent manager and one of the best young managers in world football.
I wonder would Tottenham go for him.
They hired Pinto as Director of Football Operations recently and it was reported that TFG were interested in tempting him to come to Everton because he was previously at Roma.Well deserved, they're definitely punching above their weight class this season. Shades of Bielsa's Athletic Club, who didn't always dominate possession but gave many a top teams, including Manchester United under Fergie in the Europa League, the game of their lives. Interested in seeing how they deal with the departure of Richard Hughes, who is now the Sporting Director of Liverpool (and reportedly played a key role in bringing Slot to the club, as well as as Iraola at Bournemouth). Feel for them too because, as @sullydnl pointed out, the hyenas will be circling, even moreso than usual, ready to tear them limb from limb. Though at the same time, I wouldn't mind being a massive hypocrite, and signing the duo of Huijsen (profiles really well for the central centerback role wrt. stature and technical capabilities) and Kerkez (high-octane option for the left wingback role, with lots of room for growth). Give 'em to us, por favor.
They're an interesting club. I saw us play them last season and this season live at Goodison - last season we beat them 3-0 and this season they beat us in that infamous 3-2 victory where we collapsed. Both games they were crap.
They seem to do really well against the good sides in the league but you can see the energy in the team and direction at least in every game, which was a main facet, as well as the subs Iraola made, that helped them turn it around against us.
Funny how there's 0 hype around Kluivert here in the Netherlands as he's doing very well for Bournemouth.
Didn't they get Benfica's sporting director in as his replacement?Well deserved, they're definitely punching above their weight class this season. Shades of Bielsa's Athletic Club, who didn't always dominate possession but gave many a top teams, including Manchester United under Fergie in the Europa League, the game of their lives. Interested in seeing how they deal with the departure of Richard Hughes, who is now the Sporting Director of Liverpool (and reportedly played a key role in bringing Slot to the club, as well as as Iraola at Bournemouth). Feel for them too because, as @sullydnl pointed out, the hyenas will be circling, even moreso than usual, ready to tear them limb from limb. Though at the same time, I wouldn't mind being a massive hypocrite, and signing the duo of Huijsen (profiles really well for the central centerback role wrt. stature and technical capabilities) and Kerkez (high-octane option for the left wingback role, with lots of room for growth). Give 'em to us, por favor.
Very good team
Great game, but he doesn't usually stand out among their other attackers and before today he'd scored one goal this season that wasn't a penalty.
Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford, the busy bees.
I can see Iraola getting snapped up by Spurs in the summer.
I'm happy with Amorim but Iraola was my vote for manager when ETH was sacked.
Not seen much of other teams this season, who's been the best player for them, and other stand out players?
Would be worried if Iraola went Spurs. Seems like a top coach.
Amorim will be given another year at least and by then Iraola will be at a bigger club.
But he's definitely a top coach.
They're really good and I think they've been comfortably more impressive than the other smaller clubs punching above their weight this season.
They also have some young players that will definitely interest bigger teams but it's that Huijsen kid that's going to get them the most money and gain the most interest. I think he's one of the next big CBs who will get a mega money move in 2-3 years time, and I hope United will be interested even if it's gonna be another Maguire fee we need to pay. Seems like the perfect CCB for Amorim's system and probably one of the highest ceiling prospects out there at CB with the likes of Cubarsí, Yoro or Acheampong.
They also have some young players that will definitely interest bigger teams but it's that Huijsen kid that's going to get them the most money and gain the most interest. I think he's one of the next big CBs who will get a mega money move in 2-3 years time, and I hope United will be interested even if it's gonna be another Maguire fee we need to pay. Seems like the perfect CCB for Amorim's system and probably one of the highest ceiling prospects out there at CB with the likes of Cubarsí, Yoro or Acheampong.
Iraola won't go to spurs.
The ambition shown by Bournemouth's owners is enough to keep him at the club for one more season at least.
As for losing players, they already have shortlists for replacement players ready, this is how the owners are looking to maintain the sustainability of the club until they can expand Dean Court.
The ambition shown by Bournemouth's owners is enough to keep him at the club for one more season at least.
As for losing players, they already have shortlists for replacement players ready, this is how the owners are looking to maintain the sustainability of the club until they can expand Dean Court.
That's a great shout for them tbf
Yes, they did hire Pinto. However, I dunno, the jury's still out on him.
He's an interesting case study because he's not your typical ex-player, analyst or scout who progresses to a Technical Director or Sporting Director role. He mastered in human resources and economics, and was serendipitously/atypically offered the Director of Football role at Benfica (who had Rui Costa in place to provide “lived experience” and footballing expertise as Sporting Director and eventually Club President). And Roma's recruitment during his tenure was rather hit-and-miss. Hughes, on the other hand, was pretty much part of the furniture at Bournemouth as an ex-player and long-tenured technical director, had a great working relationship with Neill Blake, played a very active role in recruitment, and was quite good at his job all things considered. Big shoes to fill, suffice to say.
The title of Bournemouth's President of Football Operations itself hints that Pinto will be more or a collaborator/overseer whereas Hughes was opinionated, precise and hand-on. Simon Francis is the real replacement of Hughes, in terms of footballing background, related acumen and job title. Whether he proves to be as good, decisive or as effective remains to be seen, hence the previous comment.
Reunion of Hughes and Howe 'would surprise few'
Interesting stuff, cheers.
I just can't shake the feeling that Iraola has the makings of a top manager. His coaching credibility comes from allowing a team of Bournemouth's stature to hit above their weight with respect to the teams quality.
Being prem proven is also a really good notion as the league is very competitive. I reckon he would be City's number one choice if Pep didn't sign an extension. Also wonder if Madrid would give the nod when Ancelotti departs, league position wouldn't necessarily reflect such interest but their performances levels are impressive.
Being prem proven is also a really good notion as the league is very competitive. I reckon he would be City's number one choice if Pep didn't sign an extension. Also wonder if Madrid would give the nod when Ancelotti departs, league position wouldn't necessarily reflect such interest but their performances levels are impressive.
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Excellent team and I’m really happy they are doing do well and playing such entertaining football. I just wish they had a bigger stadium so I could go and watch regularly!
Had a great game with strong finishing, and one of his best seasons for goals
However most matches he's hit or miss with his finishing. His pace and comfort on the ball make him great for counters though even if hes having an off day with his finishing, a bit like Garnacho
Yeah I would also bet he has more sense than to take that Spurs job which has no upside at all.
Iraola could be a decent replacement for Arteta once the higher ups at Arsenal realise the latter may have taken them as far as he can.