‘Incredible’ Iraola could be Man United manager – Redknapp

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is “one of the best managers in world football”, Jamie Redknapp has said after the Spaniard guided the Cherries to second in the Premier League with victory over Fulham.

In his second season in England, Iraola is the fourth-favourite with bookmakers to become the next Manchester United manager following his side’s 3-1 home win over Fulham on Friday, when two goals and an assist from Antoine Semenyo helped them recover from falling behind in the 70th minute.

“He’s incredible,” former England midfielder Redknapp told Sky Sports. “What an asset to the club. He could manage any team in world football – I genuinely mean that.

“He’s got so much quality and he improves players. He gives young players opportunities. The system’s great – everything you do is very progressive, exciting, on the front foot. [Bournemouth] just have to enjoy him while he’s [there].”

Next Man United manager: Andoni Iraola?

United manager Ruben Amorim has struggled to turn the 20-time English champions’ fortunes around since being appointed in November, including seven points from their opening six league matches this season and a humiliating EFL Cup defeat at fourth-tier Grimsby Town.

That run has led to intense speculation over the Portuguese’s future at the richest club in English football, with oddsmakers considering Iraola a candidate to succeed him behind Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, former England head coach Gareth Southgate and ex-Barcelona boss Xavi.

“He’s an amazing manager at such a small club,” Redknapp added of 43-year-old Iraola, who was in charge of Spanish side Rayo Vallecano between 2020 and 2023.

Former Premier League midfielder Steve Sidwell said he would have “loved to have played” for Iraola.

“He simplifies the game,” explained Sidwell. “You look at the way Bournemouth play: high intensity, win the ball as high up the pitch as you can.

“They go direct and know how to turn teams and play to their strengths. They’ve got the players that do that, with no egos. They know their jobs and roles and it looks like everyone’s enjoying themselves.”

Bournemouth vs Fulham

Forward Semenyo, whose eight goals and four assists since the end of May are the most direct goal involvements of any player in the division during that period, ended a dazzling run on the left by firing in from inside the box to draw his side level in the 78th minute.

Ryan Sessegnon had given Fulham the lead, completing an incisive exchange with on-loan Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze to strike.

Ghana international Semenyo fed Justin Kluivert to score from distance in the 84th minute and netted his second from close range six minutes into added time, slotting in from substitute Ben Gannon-Doak’s pass.

Bournemouth team vs Fulham

Striker Enes Unal (knee) and full-back Adam Smith (hamstring) were out for Bournemouth, while left-back Julio Soler has been captaining Argentina at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile.

David Brooks, Marcus Tavernier, Alex Scott and James Hill came in for Ryan Christie, Amine Adli, Justin Kluivert and Alejandro Jimenez from their preceding draw at Leeds United.

Bournemouth starting XI: Djordje Petrovic, James Hill, Bafode Diakite, Marcos Senesi, Adrien Truffert, Antoine Semenyo, Tyler Adams, Marcus Tavernier, Alex Scott, David Brooks, Evanilson

Bournemouth substitutes: Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie, Benefit, Justin Cluever, Alex Jimenez, Amine Redli, Eli Have, Will, Veljko Milosavljevic