Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola spoke highly of compatriot Unai Emery after Aston Villa's draw on the south coast
Andoni Iraola and Unai Emery
Andoni Iraola and Unai Emery(Image: AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola insists Unai Emery is one of the best managers in the world and admits he is a role model.
After Villa left the south coast with a point on Saturday afternoon, Emery remains unbeaten in eight matches against his compatriot, who also hails from the Basque Country.
Morgan Rogers put Villa in front in the first half, but Brazilian winger Rayan restored parity for the Cherries early in the second half.
After full time, Iraola was full of praise for Emery and explained why he views him differently from Pep Guardiola.
“He has achieved a lot of very good things as a manager. I always say, Unai is one of the best managers. Not just in the Premier League, he is one of the best managers overall," Iraola said.
“He is a good example for me. We know about Pep Guardiola, but Guardiola has always been in top teams. He has been winning all the time.
“I value him a lot, Unai, because he started in the third division. In the second division, he improved a little bit. He went up to the first division.
“He has tried different things in different countries. He has arrived in top clubs. He has won titles.
“There is a process there. We can learn a lot from his experience. I have seen Unai coaching Almeria. I have seen Unai coaching Sevilla. I have seen him coaching Villarreal. A lot of different-level teams.
“He has always done well. He has adapted. In that sense, he is a reference for a lot of coaches.”