Andoni Iraola’s [Cherries](http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/) were hunting down an eighth placed finish with the hope that that would be enough to secure Europe – but in the end Brighton, who finished eighth, will not be in Europe next season.
Bournemouth’s European hopes were dashed in the week before the end of the season.
First, Crystal Palace won the FA Cup to secure a Europa League place, before the Seagulls beat Liverpool to put themselves five points clear of the Cherries with one game left to play – although Bournemouth had two to go.
That meant Iraola’s side had to win their game in hand against Manchester City last Tuesday, and then beat Leicester and hope Brighton did not win on the final day against Tottenham.
But the Cherries were comfortably beaten 3-1 by City, meaning they could no longer finish above the Seagulls, as both sides went on to win on the final day.
The Cherries had high European hopes after beating Southampton in February _(Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)_ Their fellow south coast side collected 61 points from the Premier League season.
Across the four previous season, 62, 56, 61 and 63 points had been enough to qualify for Europe and the Conference League.
But this season, seventh-placed Nottingham Forest ended on 65 points to qualify for the third tier European competition.
Asked about European qualification and eighth not being enough in the end, Andoni Iraola said: “The problem this season, to get Europe through the league, probably you have to get, I think 65, 66 points.
“We are talking about numbers that in other normal seasons probably gives you Champions League.
“It has been so expensive this season to get to Europe.
“Normally I always say around 60, almost 60 is guaranteed, but this season has gone to the roof, the number. And at least it tells us that even because we are always saying maybe if we win that game, if…
“For me, we finish very far away now, really.
“And I'm happy with the 56 points. I think we definitely deserved every single point and probably we could have been more efficient. But still the gap to 65, 60 points is massive.”