Ha.
Andoni Iraola
- Thread starter JB08
- Start date
Ha.
The majority of the midtable PL managers who failed when they took the step up played a style of football that, in hindsight at least, wasn't how a top team wants to play. So they either stick with what got them success to that point, which may not work at a team that wants to be at the top of the table and is facing teams that are sitting back, or they have to change their own tactics to something that they don't really have much experience with previously. It's why I have serious doubts on Glasner, as we certainly wouldn't want to play like Palace do and there's no real way to know how he'd go at a team that is expected to be more dominant and front-foot. Likewise, it was my biggest worry when we decided on Moyes as we clearly didn't want to play like he had Everton playing.
From memory, Potter and Pochettino were the only ones who played football that you'd think would translate directly to success at a top team. So it's a 50% success rate for the ones who stayed in the PL. 66% if we include Kompany going to Bayern. I could be forgetting someone though.
Iraola's football style seems likely to translate to a top team quite well. Obviously it's not certain and he could end up more like Potter, and the main question mark over his tactics is the relative lack of possession Bournemouth have had (although it's worth noting that their possession has been increasing each season the longer he's been there), but I'd certainly give him a better chance of success than the majority of midtable managers who ended up failing.
I agree with a lot of that but Bournemouth are still a very high press, transitional team, aren't they? I'm not sure that does translate very well...
He's not as big a risk as, say, Glasner, but he's still a risk. You're still hoping he can adapt his style or else it just needs better players to level up.
I think it's reasonable to have concerns about whether Iraola can make the step up to a side that is expected to dominate the ball each week - we know that he is brilliant at setting up sides out of possession, but his Bournemouth side are indeed very direct when they have the ball, which isn't generally the way that top sides play. I think that's perhaps less of a concern for a club like United, as we historically haven't tended to dominate the ball in the way that Arsenal, Chelsea Liverpool or especially City have done in recent years and if you look at this season, Iraola's Bournemouth have averaged 50.4% possession (10th in the league), while United under Carrick have averaged 49.16% (12th in the league, down from 54.03% / 5th in the league under Amorim).
They are, but he's been steadily increasing their possession. From 40% the season before he joined them, to 44% in his first season, to 48% and now a touch over 50%. And high press and quick transitions seems to be the way the game is heading at the moment, with even Pep playing a more direct style that he previously did. So while it isn't a perfect translation as obviously teams will play more defensively against us (although low blocks aren't as common as they used to be) and I'd hope for a bit more control in the middle of the field, I'd be cautiously optimistic.
Hell, I suspect Bournemouth are playing with more possession, a higher defensive line and a higher press than what we currently are under Carrick. So they are probably playing something closer to what we'd consider a 'top teams playstyle' than we ourselves are right now. The question is how much Carrick himself will change that if he gets more time.
I will also say I'm a long way from being an expert, as I barely watch any games that Utd aren't involved in anymore. It's just an impression based on the relatively little I have seen from Bournemouth, combined with what others have said. So there could definitely be issues that I'm glossing over. I'm hoping to catch a couple of their remaining games where I'll actually pay more attention to a couple of things I'm uncertain about. It's also why I'm not saying I actually want Iraola ahead of Carrick as I'm really not certain; just that Iraola is the only one of the (realistic) PL managers who I would want. The likes of Glasner, Howe and Silva don't interest me at all.
4/9 on with the bookies to be next Palace manager.
??????
He has a very good chance of getting into the champions league with his current club which is kind of ridiculous. I mean, Palace are probably a bigger club than Bournemouth but still, it doesn’t seem a great decision.
Bournemouth certainly do have that revolving door where they continually sell their best players and start again. Maybe Palace are finally starting to build something? @Shipperley what do you think?
Don't fall for bookies trying to get a flurry of bets going on, he's already signed with United.
Doubt. They have sold Guehl, Olise and Eze in the last few seasons and Wharton will be gone soon.
He probably wants to live in London.
I am sure we’ve spoken to his people and we would probably pay him more than Bournemouth can, but I just don’t see it tbh.
Maybe he just fancies living in London?
This would be an odd career decision though. Bournemouth generally spend more than Palace in windows when replacing key players, Bournemouth still have chance of making CL if we win Europa as finishing 5th looks likely for us now. Have I missed anything else?
It can only be he finishes the Chelsea job so his agent is making this story to force Chelsea's hand if he's on their shortlist. Or perhaps Palace will be taken over in near future and he's been sounded out by whoever wishes to buy them. Beyond that I'm struggling....
This would be an odd career decision though. Bournemouth generally spend more than Palace in windows when replacing key players, Bournemouth still have chance of making CL if we win Europa as finishing 5th looks likely for us now. Have I missed anything else?
It can only be he finishes the Chelsea job so his agent is making this story to force Chelsea's hand if he's on their shortlist. Or perhaps Palace will be taken over in near future and he's been sounded out by whoever wishes to buy them. Beyond that I'm struggling....
Yeah, the London thing might be part of it. He's got two school aged kids. And it might also be a short-term move to solidify his standing whilst waiting for a bigger job (some openings in the near future it seems). But surely there has to be more. It can't be worse than Bournemouth in terms of actual team building, rather than just business?
Or: Chelsea is total circus and any sideways mid-prem job is better.
Maybe I'm doing Palace a disservice but I would've thought their pool of candidates this summer would be Thomas Frank, Dyche and even Liam Rosenior.
It will be a tricky job to follow Glasner given he could easily win another trophy so Palace fans never had it so good in their lifetimes but they will still continue selling key players.
Getting Iraola would be a big coup.
It will be a tricky job to follow Glasner given he could easily win another trophy so Palace fans never had it so good in their lifetimes but they will still continue selling key players.
Getting Iraola would be a big coup.
What about Gareth Southgate? he is a Crystal Palace academy graduate
Yeah you’re doing Palace a disservice. Dyche?!
What’s your definition of great?He would be great for you.
Looking forward to our customary loss against you this weekend. Standard!
Hmm.
Basque specific is a really interesting angle - you have Arteta, Emery, Xabi Alonso, Iraola, Lopetegui all coming from about 50miles of each other.
Well he's managed Everton and Forest in last few years so still in demand at prem level so not like I suggested Steve Bruce who isn't anymore.
Actually I think a really good one for you would be Carrick but looks pretty certain he'll get Man. United full time.
Palace is interesting job as you know Mateta, Wharton and maybe even Lacroix will be leaving soon so you basically need to keep Sarr front and centre of the acting plan and hope the DOFdoes their job properly.
Also early cup exits not going to be accepted so easily now after last 18 months under Glasner so increased pressure there.
Seems Palace move could have legs
Apparently a guy on the Palace subreddit called it 3 months ago, seems like its been in place for a long time.
I think we’d have enough pull to get a promising manager like McKenna if we want to, if not someone more established from abroad. Our stock is higher than it’s ever been, especially if we qualify for the Europa League.
Dyche is the guy you bring in when it doesn’t work out with them. We’ve had most of the firefighters at one time or another - Pulis, Allardyce, Roy, Holloway - all the old faves, so got no doubt Dyche will rock up at some stage. Just not now.
i said a few weeks ago that the difference between managing a big club and midtable club, is that players buy-in is harder to get, because a midtable player is actually dependent on being part of a successful team to get higher wages elsewhere.
If even Bournemouth players weren’t initially convinced by their, can you imagine how players who think of themselves as the best in the league would react?
Also while I dont know what City's training regimine is like, its not like Semenyo is saying "I didnt get it then but now I get it at City where we also train every non match day and thats how it is at top clubs". So that says to me that they get more time off than he did at Bournemouth. I could be wrong but thats how I read it. So I think if Iraola came in here or another big club and asked them to train everyday other than matchday and they are used to having a day off, we and those clubs would likely have a bunch of players who dont like being there.
Go to London.
You'll either be mugged or not appreciated
You'll either be mugged or not appreciated
Amazing stat on MOTD. Bournemouth have the third longest unbeaten run in Europes top five leagues this season, with 16 matches. Only ahead of them are Bayern Munich and AC Milan. Neither of which they can catch with two games remaining.
That's just mental. Bournemouth.
Iraola is far too good for Crystal Palace.
That's just mental. Bournemouth.
Iraola is far too good for Crystal Palace.
Even crazier stat when you consider they’ve lost Kerkez, Zabayrni (sp?) and Huijsen in the summer, plus Kepa who was on loan - and Semenyo mid season. Add: Kluivert barely being available most season due to injury. Insane.
I do think hes the best candidate available this summer for the Utd job. Really hope he doesn't go to Chelsea or somewhere like that as I think he will win trophies. Top young manager on his way up.
Yeah, I rate him but I do wonder how he would do with “bigger personalities” - especially at a club like Chelsea. He supposedly works/trains 7 days a week (based on Semenyo’s interview posted in this thread I think) - which was something the Bournemouth players needed to buy into but you can see the teams excellent physical condition because of it.
But if you get one or two troublemakers in a “bigger” dressing room, he could be in a bit of trouble. And when results don’t go your way….theres less patience. Not that I doubt him, of course. I’d welcome such changes at our clubs as well (higher intensity etc) but I guess it’s a tad easier to convince “underdogs” to buy into such methods - unless you have a reputation like Enrique.
One things for sure, I’d be surprised if he ended up at Palace.
This is true but also consider how well the club have done with recruitment. Kroupi, Rayan and Truffert this season. I'm not sure how involved in transfers Iraola is or whether he's just the coach but the end result is that they've had very good transfers coming in and being among their better players and then a lot of development for some younger players like Scott and James Hill who came into the starting lineup more after midway through the season. 11 games in the first half of the season including 2 at rightback and the rest CB, but then 18 games so far after the turn of the year at CB during their undefeated streak. Also 3 assists from CB which you dont see that often
He's still playing people like Smith, Cook, Tavanier, Christie and Adams. Not to mention he does have to bed all these players when they come in. Look at how he's managed Kroupis minutes. Sure the recruitment has been good, but to not skip a beat at all is crazy.
Yep all fair - basically is this another Brentford/Brighton setup or is the coach really good? At this point it seems a bit of both. It’s still no easy feat though, with such player turnover - especially losing your more impressive players. It could also be such a well drilled system that’s it’s also making the whole greater than the sum of its individual parts type buzz. Alas, it’s going to be interesting to see how his career goes.
It's definitely the coach. The players are so well drilled and can react to changes by opposition tactically when instructed by Iraola and his staff.
I thought statman Dave's piece on him was a interesting watch. His football philosophy is in line with the way we want Utd to play.
Thanks for the share bud
I am a fan of what I see from him and his achievements are incredible with this Bournemouth side despite some wanting to downplay it for some reason.
The 7 days a week thing sounds a bit mad though and I would expect that would be under discussion during any interviews, especially with a team playing in Europe and having far more match and travel demands than at Bournemouth.
I want us to have a coach who plays proactive, brave football and makes sure our team work hard on and off the ball.
According to the Bobble who is the main Everton ITK, Iraola has made it known to Everton that he'd be open to conversations this summer if they were looking to change manager. The plan is still apparently to stick with Moyes for next season but there is no talk of a new deal for him and his contract runs out next summer. Maybe one to keep an eye on.