The club went through significant squad changes in the summer leading into the campaign, with a number of first team players leaving in high-profile, big money moves.
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Illia Zabarnyi headed to PSG, Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool, Dango Ouattara to Brentford and Kepa Arrizabalaga left the club as his loan move ended. Antoine Semenyo then left for Manchester City in January.
New signings came in but there were concerns over how the season would go – but the club recorded its best every campaign with a record points haul and a first ever European qualification.
(Image: Richard Crease)
Reflecting on his three years, Iraola said: “I think this season has been the biggest challenge for me because we've made a lot of changes in the summer.
“Obviously, a lot of very good players left the club. Also, very good new players arrived, and probably the expectations in this last season were not as high because of these changes.
“But surprisingly for a lot of people and also for me, we've been so, so good, especially second half of the season, that we've even beaten the record that we got past season.
“I am more pleased especially for this last season where we've accepted the challenge and even improved the results.”