Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola says he wants Manchester City — and the rest of the Premier League’s heavyweights — to win every game, even as his side prepare to visit the champions on Sunday.
The Cherries are enjoying an extraordinary start to the season, sitting second in the table, yet Iraola insists his ambitions remain grounded.
The Spaniard, who failed to win any of his first nine Premier League matches in charge, has made clear that Pep Guardiola’s team operate in a completely different realm.
“I want City to win every game. I want Liverpool to win every game. I want Arsenal to win every game,” Iraola said in a press match conference ahead of Premier League clash with City
“Those are not our rivals. When they face other teams, I don’t want them to lose any points, I want them to win every game because at the end of the season we know we are not going to be there with those teams because they will be in other fights, we will be in another fight.”
It is a refreshingly realistic outlook for a coach whose team have surprised the league with their adventurous football. Bournemouth, who finished ninth last season, are currently playing with remarkable confidence and flair.
Only Erling Haaland, with 11 goals, has scored more than their in-form forward Antoine Semenyo, who already has six to his name.
Their early-season form has led some fans to dream of another fairy-tale run, reminiscent of Leicester City’s shock title triumph in 2016 under Claudio Ranieri. The Foxes famously defied 500-1 odds to win the Premier League, keeping their title ambitions quiet until the final weeks.
But Andoni Iraola is quick to pour cold water on any notion of Bournemouth joining that exclusive club.
When asked on Halloween if his side — with a home ground that holds just over 11,000 supporters — could “spook” the league’s elite and challenge for the title, he didn’t hesitate.
“No, I don’t think we can,” he replied plainly.
Even the prospect of a first-ever win at the Etihad Stadium doesn’t tempt Iraola into revising his targets.
“No,” he said when asked whether victory over Pep Guardiola’s side might alter his outlook. “Our goal is not going to change because of one result. And we don’t know where we are going to finish.”
For the 42-year-old coach, perspective is everything. Last season’s ninth-place finish, achieved with 56 points, remains the club’s best-ever campaign in the top flight. Matching or improving on that is still the benchmark.
“My only reference is last season which was our best season ever at this club, ninth with 56 points. If we want to show that we are better then we need to get 57 points,” Iraola explained.
“I still see it as very difficult. We now play City and Villa away. We lose two games, we will be 11th. It takes a lot for us to win just one game. And as long as we understand this, then we can be ambitious.”
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That cautious optimism sums up Iraola’s approach. He refuses to get carried away despite Bournemouth’s stunning start, preferring to take each match as it comes.
“Let’s talk about goals when March or April arrives and we can see, okay, we can arrive here. But now, for me, it’s too early for us,” he said.
The Spaniard’s pragmatism has served Bournemouth well. His first few months at the Vitality Stadium were marked by frustration, but once his attacking style clicked, the Cherries began playing with a freedom rarely seen in sides outside the traditional top six.
Their combination of intensity, organisation and bold attacking play has made them one of the Premier League’s most entertaining teams to watch this season.
Still, Iraola insists that the glamour clubs are operating on a different level — and that Bournemouth’s success lies in consistency rather than comparisons.
