19 June 2023.

Gary O’Neil sacked by Bournemouth and replaced by Andoni Iraola.

On the face of it, a “scandalous decision” as quoted by Richard Keys, the ex-Sky Sports presenter.

O’Neil had seemingly taken over a club in crisis, just off the back of a 9-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool, with then-manager Scott Parker questioning the club’s hierarchy for a lack of investment into a perceived “ill-equipped” squad of players destined for the drop.

Not only did O’Neil keep them up, he did so comfortably and was widely praised for the impossible job he had managed to do at this struggling, Championship-bound seaside club, so it came as a great surprise to many that he was harshly shown the door after such a “miracle”.

Meanwhile an idea had emerged.

Owner Bill Foley stated his desire for Bournemouth to move towards a more progressive style of football, which O’Neil seemed reluctant to deliver, due to his belief in defensive solidity, hence his preferred 3-4-3 formation.

Foley saw Iraola as the right man for the job, but many disagreed, perceiving the sacking as ungrateful and believing Bournemouth to be clambering above their station.

Many thought such a tiny club, with an average attendance of 10,000 should be thankful that it had remained in the Premier League and aiming too high was destined to fail, resulting in Bournemouth crashing and burning, hurtling towards the Championship and beyond.

Well, look at them now.

After statement wins against title challengers Arsenal and Manchester City, in which they thoroughly dominated and fully deserved the win, Bournemouth are on the cusp of European football, a feat that this small seaside club has never achieved.

Iraola now has the team playing scintillating football with an attack-minded system in which they press teams-no matter their status-into submission.

However, it wasn’t always like this.

Iraola experienced a torrid start in which he failed to win any of his first 9 competitive matches, with many criticising the Spaniard for his naïve tactics and lack of defensive nous, leading to his side being brutally exposed in the Premier League.

Even after a period of good form, where Iraola guided the Cherries out of the relegation zone, his side still came under fire, with many pointing to the outstanding work that O’Neil had performed at Wolves since his sacking.

This was used as a stick to beat Bournemouth and Iraola.

Yet, the turning point was just around the corner.

9 December 2023, Manchester United v Bournemouth.

Bournemouth rocked up to Old Trafford to face a filthily expensive Manchester United squad boasting huge names such as Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, plus statement signings like Antony and Rasmus Hojlund.

Bournemouth did not just beat United, they annihilated them.

From the first whistle, the away side harried and hustled the shellshocked Red Devils, deservedly taking the lead when in-form striker Dominic Solanke, who went on to score 19 goals in the league that season, giving them the early advantage.

United had half-chances with the likes of Maguire heading over, via a superb save by Neto.

But Bournemouth continued to rampage, terrorising United to within an inch of their lives, with Solanke striking the post and Marcus Tavernier a constant menace on the left-flank.

After half-time, their reward duly arrived.

A lightning-quick counter-attack, led by the excellent Tavernier culminated in the ball being spread out to the left-flank.

Noticing the towering figure of Philip Billing advancing into the centre, the cross was aimed towards the back post, where the great Dane was able to power it into the corner.

Manchester United 0-2 Bournemouth.

The dream was still not over.

In the 73rd minute, a corner was lifted over from the right-hand side and met by centre-half Marcos Senesi, who guided it into the net.

Pandemonium in the away stand.

3-0 and it could have been more if winger Dango Ouatarra had not been harshly judged to have handled the ball in build-up to a fourth goal.

Nevertheless, no-one could question Iraola or the progress Bournemouth were making.

A truly outstanding victory, one which people began to take notice of the revolution transpiring on the south coast.

After an impressive second half of the season, Bournemouth finished in a credible 12th, with their joint-highest points tally of 48, a far cry from pre-season predictions of relegation.

But unlike Richard Keys stated, there was indeed another level for Bournemouth to reach.

The summer transfer window was a huge success.

Despite the sale of star striker Solanke to Spurs for £65m, it meant Bournemouth were able to get ambitious.

Along with the signings of young Spanish centre-back Dean Huijsen from Juventus for £18m and the most expensive goalkeeper of all-time in Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan, they had concluded their long-awaited search for Solanke’s replacement…

Evanilson.

After a move for Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah broke down, the seasiders pivoted quickly to secure the signing of Brazilian hotshot Evanilson, a much-coveted centre-forward, who had scored goals in the Champions League for Porto.

The £40m summer acquisition has not disappointed.

4 goals already this season, including a winner against champions Manchester City has proved an incredible bit of business.

All credit must go to Iraola and the board for trusting his genius in implementing a high-pressing, attractive, attacking style of football that the fans rightfully love.

Alongside ground-breaking signings such as Evanilson, highly-rated full-back Milos Kerkez and attacking midfielder Justin Kluivert, Iraola has also nurtured a rock-solid partnership of Ilia Zabarnyi and Marcos Senesi, breathed new life into experienced midfielders Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie and has coached winger Antoine Semenyo into one of the most dangerous 1v1 players in the Premier League.

Other players such as Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra have also flourished.

To highlight their evident porgression, having originally cost £9m, it is hard to see Semenyo being sold for anything less than £50m now.

This swashbuckling Bournemouth side are a credit to the establishment and has proved that any club, no matter how small, can hold their own in the big leagues.

That’s just what Iraola’s men have done.