Andoni Iraola has led AFC Bournemouth to a host of records, including most points in a Premier League season, fewest defeats, highest finish and, of course, a first European qualification.
But last summer, there was no expectation that continental competition would come this season.
A ninth-place finish had come in the 2024/25 season, but a number of key players had left the club in the summer in high-profile moves, including four of the back five, including keeper, that had played much of the previous season.
The Bournemouth recruitment team went to work, though, and brought in replacements for each.
(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
For Milos Kerkez came Adrien Truffert, for Illia Zabarnyi came Bafode Diakite, for Dean Huijsen came Veljko Milosavljevic, for Kepa Arrizabalaga came Djordje Petrovic and for Dango Ouattara came Amine Adli and Ben Gannon-Doak.
The season started well.
A trip to Anfield to face the reigning champions Liverpool came first, and, while Bournemouth were beaten 4-2, they were level until the final few minutes and gave a very good account of themselves.
A string of eight games without defeat came next, which saw the Cherries sat in second place after nine, although they were knocked out of the League Cup in the second round by Brentford.
That included wins over Wolves, Brighton, Fulham and Nottingham Forest at home, an away win at Spurs and draws with Newcastle, Leeds and Crystal Palace.
During the Palace game, the Cherries briefly went top of the table for around an hour while they were leading.
(Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
But, as has been something of a theme under Iraola, a barren run of form came next.
Perhaps expected defeats came to Manchester City and Aston Villa, but the manner was disappointing and Iraola expressed some concern in his post-match media duties.
Bournemouth came from behind to draw 2-2 with West Ham at home next, before spurning a 2-0 lead at Sunderland to lose and a defeat at home to Everton.
Three draws followed, including a mental 4-4 draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
The third of those draws saw the Cherries concede in the dying moments at home to Burnley, as it seemed they were struggling to get over the line.
The lowest point of the season came next.
Iraola’s side headed to Brentford for their first game after Christmas, and they were smashed by Keith Andrews’ Bees in a hugely disappointing 4-1 loss.
(Image: Peter Tarry/PA Wire)
Things needed to change, and a response came in a 2-2 draw at Chelsea to round out 2025.
Bournemouth ran Arsenal close in a 3-2 defeat at Dean Court. Little did the Cherries fans know leaving the Vitality Stadium that day, but that would be the club’s last defeat of the season.
Antoine Semenyo bid farewell to Bournemouth with a stoppage time winner against Spurs next, to return the club to winning ways.
He headed to City, before a thrilling FA Cup tie in Newcastle for their first game without Semenyo in the side saw the Cherries knocked out on penalties.
A draw at Brighton was next in the league, before another dramatic stoppage time winner went the way of Bournemouth as Amine Adli bundled home from a James Hill long throw to beat Liverpool 3-2.
(Image: Richard Crease)
A professional 2-0 win at Wolves and a solid 1-1 draw with Aston Villa followed, as Rayan made an impact with an assist and a goal in his first two appearances for the club since joining from Brazil.
The 19-year-old netted again in Bournemouth’s first visit to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, as the club earned all three points despite not their best performance on Merseyside.
Five draws came in the rest of February and March, against West Ham, Sunderland, Brentford, Burnley and Manchester United.
A superb 2-1 win at would-be champions Arsenal started the final two months of the season off with a bang as Alex Scott won it for the Dorset club.
(Image: Adam DavyPA Wire)
Following the win at the Gunners, Iraola confirmed he would not be renewing his contract at the end of the season, and he would leave the club.
His side responded as they sought to give the boss a fitting farewell. Truffert scored his first goal for the Cherries as they beat former boss Eddie Howe’s Newcastle in the north east before a 1-1 draw with Leeds.
Back-to-back wins came over Crystal Palace and Fulham to leave the club in the driving seat for European qualification, and results seemed to be falling in their favour.
A visit of victorious FA Cup finalists Man City was next, including former Cherry Semenyo, with only a point needed to guarantee a top seven spot and a European place.
That was delivered after Junior Kroupi’s 13th goal of the season gave them the advantage, and, while Erling Haaland equalised in stoppage time, Bournemouth’s place in continental competition was confirmed.
(Image: Richard Crease)
A party atmosphere greeted the Bournemouth players from the travelling Cherries fans at Nottingham Forest on the final day, with the potential of Champions League qualification.
While results did not go their way for that, a point broke the club’s in-season unbeaten run record which now stands at 18 games and ensured a sixth-place finish and Europa League football next season.
Iraola departs after a historic three years with the Cherries, and he hands over to Marco Rose for what is set to be another big season at Dean Court.