Owner Foley has been outspoken in his desire to reach Europe, and said when he arrived that they would be there within five years.
Bournemouth under Iraola, though, have achieved that in three and a half years, as they reached the Europa League thanks to their sixth place finish this season.
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After Gary O’Neil kept the Cherries in the league in the first half a season following Foley’s arrival, Iraola came in and there have been three record-breaking seasons in back-to-back campaigns.
That has culminated in the Europa League qualification, with a best ever finish and record points haul of 57, following an 18-game unbeaten run to end the season.
(Image: Richard Crease)
Iraola said the European qualification was also a way of giving back to the fans and to the club for a “magnificent” three years in Dorset.
Asked if he knew that was the direction the club was heading when he arrived back in 2023, Iraola said: “I had no idea.
“I think the first thing from the club was, more than the results, was changing a little bit the style, changing the approach, being a little bit more offensive, more proactive, playing with no fear.
“And I think that's why they signed me. They wanted to do something like we did with Rayo.
“More than the results, the club was focused on this, and that's why I was attracted by the idea.
(Image: Richard Crease)
“And this way of playing, it took some time, but has given us incredible results. Incredible results.
“We've beaten the record every single season, we put it a little bit higher every single season.
“Honestly, I knew it was going to be like almost impossible to get Europe, but it's true that the owner since the beginning told me, and he's like, okay, we want to stay in the Premier League, this is the main thing, but I want Europe.
“He had it very clear, Bill had it very clear, and for me to finish these three seasons giving back, not just to the owners, to the fans, to the players, to the supporters.
“This European qualification for me is like one way of thanking them for these three seasons that have been magnificent for us.”