Andoni Iraola’s return to Bournemouth comes with a mix of pride and unfinished business. After leading the Cherries to an impressive unbeaten streak of 18 league games, he might have cost himself a shot at managing in the Champions League when he opted not to renew his contract, even as Bournemouth finished the season just three points behind Liverpool.

This week, Bournemouth made their Europa League debut in Iraola’s homeland, defeating Real Sociedad, marking a significant milestone for the club and its former captain. Despite his departure, Iraola maintained a collaborative relationship with his successor, Marco Rose, spending over two hours briefing him on the squad and sharing insights that could aid in the transition.

Iraola noted, “I think everything was so clean with the club... Everyone knew that Marco was coming.” His commitment to ensuring a smooth handover was a rarity in football, emphasizing the strong foundations he laid during his tenure.

Despite the changes, the core of the team remains largely intact, with only minimal adjustments made since Iraola left. He acknowledged the similarities between his old and new sides, including a concerning trend of draws, which could hinder their ambitions moving forward.

As he prepares to face Liverpool, Iraola is aware of the heightened expectations and the need to convert draws into wins. He expressed confidence in his methods, stating, “I don’t give different instructions to one player because he is more expensive than another.”

Now, with the challenges of managing at an elite level, Iraola’s return to Bournemouth’s former rivals is not just a test of his strategies but also an opportunity to prove his worth on a bigger stage.