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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ben Fisher

New manager Andoni Iraola enjoys underdog mantle at Bournemouth

Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola’s Rayo Vallecano beat both Barcelona and Real Madrid last season. Photograph: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth/Getty Images

Andoni Iraola has said he will relish the underdog tag once more as he prepares to lead Bournemouth in the Premier League. Iraola, who replaced Gary O’Neil last month, established Rayo Vallecano in La Liga after guiding the club to promotion and previously led the second-tier Spanish side Mirandés to the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Last season Iraola’s Vallecano side beat Real Madrid and Barcelona and he is adamant Bournemouth can give Premier League rivals a bloody nose. Iraola acknowledged there were similarities between Bournemouth and Vallecano, where he spent three years. The Spanish club finished 11th of 20 last season and also play in a modest stadium.

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