Yahoo News Cherries boss Andoni Iraola nominated for Premier League Manager of the Season
AFC BOURNEMOUTH head coach Andoni Iraola has been nominated for the Premier League’s Manager of the Season award.
Basque boss Iraola is one of five nominated for the award, rubbing shoulders with compatriots Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery of Arsenal and Aston Villa respectively, as well as big names such as Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp.
VOTE|Last chance to vote for Daily Echo/Micky Cave AFC Bournemouth player of the year
After taking 10 Premier League games to find a first top-flight win in England, Iraola and Cherries have not looked back after a strong run of form in November and December catapulted Bournemouth up the league table.
Despite the wider footballing world predicting another relegation battle for Cherries, Iraola’s charges find themselves 10th at the time of writing, steering clear of the drop zone well before the business end of the season.
Iraola becomes the second Cherries manager to be nominated for the award, with Eddie Howe recognised for his efforts in charge of AFC Bournemouth during the 2016/17 season.
A 2-0 win over Brighton at Vitality Stadium at the end of April took Cherries to 48 points, setting a new club record for highest points tally in a single Premier League season.
In total, Cherries have won 13 Premier League matches under Iraola, drawing nine and losing a further 14.
Iraola’s nomination serves as further indication to Cherries’ decision to sack Gary O’Neil last summer.
The move provoked many sections of the national media to label Cherries as having ideas above their station, believing O’Neil to have been harshly treated with Iraola not representing much of an upgrade.
However, Cherries supporters have quickly taken to the former Rayo Vallecano manager’s style of play.
Iraola has just over a year remaining on his current contract at Vitality Stadium, having signed a two-year deal on his arrival last June.
Fans have until 12pm Monday, May 13, to vote for Iraola, with the public vote combined with those of a panel of football experts to decide the winner.
The winning manager will be announced on Tuesday, May 21.
