Ruben Amorim praised the work of Andoni Iraola as the head coach of Bournemouth.
The Cherries cut ties with four members of their starting back five in the summer: Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Milos Kerkez. However, they produced a strong start to the new season, sitting in the top four by the start of October. They have since suffered a dip in form, going winless across their last six Premier League fixtures— four of which had been defeats.
It was always going to be a tough task for the team to try and maintain the momentum from the start of 2025 with so many changes in their defensive unit. Yet, their intensity, running power, and bravery have been constant foundations under the Basque, who has gained admirers across the English game.
Amorim knows from his experience at **Old Trafford**that it is not easy to impose an identity that can stand the test of time in the Premier League, and results have not lessened his impression of Iraola.
"I think they are a top team, a top manager with a special player. I don't look to the results. I look at the way they face every opponent, they press really strong, they are really direct in the game.
“They can play with different options in [the] front and that gives us a lot of options to work and to prepare the game. So I expect, again, a Premier League game that is really tough. But we need to win, especially at home. That is the goal.
"[What Andoni has done] is special. I think the way they play the game like a big team, what he's doing for some players. He's improving some players and you can look at that team and look for several players that can play at a high level. And that is an amazing job by the manager."