Guardiola, The Next Target of "The Antagonist" Iraola

Bournemouth Head Coach Andoni Iraola is often likened to the fictional character Doctor Octopus from the film Spider-Man 2. In addition to their similar appearances, their personalities are not far apart. "Doc Ock" plays the role of a villain to the main character, while Andoni is labeled as an antagonist figure for the managers of major clubs.

The season is far from over, but Iraola's name has already entered the coaching transfer market for the upcoming summer. Several clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, are reportedly interested. The Spanish man has received much praise for his ability to elevate the level of a mediocre team like Bournemouth.

Bournemouth has been greatly feared by major clubs this season. Their win percentage against the "Classic Big Six" teams reaches 44.4 percent. "The Cherries" have only lost three times out of 11 matches. Imagine, this achievement was accomplished by a team with the 17th-ranked or fourth-lowest total player salaries in the league.

One of the prominent figures defeated by Iraola is Manchester City Manager Josep Guardiola, specifically last November. Bournemouth also handed City their first league defeat. That result marked the beginning of a downfall for City, which continues to struggle to this day.

Iraola and Guardiola will meet again in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Vitality Stadium on Sunday (30/3/2025) at 10:30 PM WIB. "We have to learn from that defeat to reach the semi-finals. The last time we met, we were not competitive and performed below standard. We lost in duels (for the ball)," said Guardiola.

That's our DNA. If we don't play like that, we're going to struggle.

Guardiola said in an interview with TNT Sports earlier this year that the definition of modern football has shifted. The possession-based game that was his trademark is no longer relevant. Bournemouth's direct attack and aggressive, high-flying defence are the new trend.

The intense gameplay is also what enables Bournemouth to compete with major clubs. Iraola is not afraid to employ such a risky scheme, regardless of the opponent. This is because their attacks can only begin with aggressive defending when they are without the ball. "That is our DNA. If we don't play like that, we will struggle," said Iraola.

Bournemouth, according to Opta, is the team with the most effective high defense in the league. They managed to produce 57 shots after winning the ball in the first 40 meters of the opponent's field. That record is the highest in the league. After winning the ball, "The Cherries" immediately attacked at lightning speed.

When it comes to counterattacks, Nottingham Forest is hard to match. However, why does Guardiola not include Forest in the category of the latest modern gameplay? This is because they defend very deep before transitioning. This contrasts with Bournemouth, who retrieve the ball in the opponent's defense.

Iraola, a former Athletic Bilbao player, was once coached by Marcelo Bielsa. As is known, Bielsa is famous for his open game approach. Bielsa once implemented an offensive style of play with Leeds United in the Premier League, but failed miserably. Leeds' game was criticized for being too open, making them vulnerable when attacked.

Iraola said he learned a lot from Bielsa. However, he is more conventional. He is not obsessed with possession. This can be seen from Bournemouth who are ranked 15th (average 47 percent), in possession. Instead of a beautiful game that is dominant with the ball, Iraola prioritizes efficiency and the end product.

With their high-tempo style of play, Bournemouth are very comfortable in “chaotic” situations. They come like a storm at sea. The first big wave through aggressive pressure, then the next destructive wave through lightning attacks. The scheme can be effective with a striker who can play freely like Justin Kluivert.

That's what makes many big clubs uncomfortable facing Bournemouth. When clubs like Arsenal and City prioritize neat structures based on ball possession, "The Cherries" try to create chaos. They are like trying to invite fish to race on land.

Two of Bournemouth’s three defeats against the “Classic Big Six” were delivered by Liverpool. The results are quite reasonable. Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah, are the best team in transition situations. They also love chaos. When transition battles occur, the team with the better quality players will definitely have an advantage.

Iraola has been in charge of Bournemouth since the summer of 2023, but has only been able to show his best potential in his second season. In addition to the issue of chemistry and adaptation, they are also helped by the presence of 19-year-old defender Dean Huijsen. With the rising Spanish national team defender, the big hole in Bournemouth's high defense can be covered.

However, the match against City will not be easy for Bournemouth. They are in a bad trend, only winning once in the last five matches. "The draw cannot be changed. We have to finish what we have started. We hope to be at the old level like last November (when they beat City)," concluded Iraola.

The weekend's result could further deepen Iraola's antagonistic side. If Bournemouth win, City will be certain to lose the only trophy they could win before the summer. Having started Guardiola's team's downfall at the start of the season, Iraola could add to the giants' slump. (AP/REUTERS)