The Spaniard, who credits Marcelo Bielsa as an influence for the way he coaches, has become well-known for his teams playing high-pressing football, particularly during his recent successful stint with Rayo Vallecano in Spain. Asked what he is looking to implement as new boss of Cherries,
Andoni Iraola said: “We want to be an efficient team. For me, a lot of times to be efficient is to play as close to their box as we can. Probably we will play a little bit higher up the pitch. We want to be direct, to try to maximise our offensive volume. Obviously we have to defend, we have to be ready to defend sometimes in a low block, because we will be forced. But our main idea will be to play as much as we can in their half. I hope you are happy. I think we have the work-rate, especially from our front players, that they can sustain the press. They can make us play as high as we can, so we are closer when we regain possession to their goal. But we have a lot of work to do. We have to implement everything and the players also have to buy the idea. I think from the first impressions I have, talking to some players, they are used to working. They are used to training hard and we will need it. Sometimes the coach has to be demanding, but it is our job. I think the players are ready for it. I want to start training, I want to start knowing the players. Because it is one thing to watch the players on video, then you don’t really know the player. You have to look at the small details, how they train, how they understand the game, tactically how good they are. We don’t have so much time, but I think it is enough to get prepared for the first game against West Ham.”
