Football Daily Andoni Iraola - The Football Interview
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Sep 27, 2025 
Andoni Iraola, AFC Bournemouth's head coach and former Athletic Club player, shares his journey from the Basque region to coaching in England. He reminisces about playing football with childhood friends Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso and the formative impact of managers like Marcelo Bielsa. Iraola discusses balancing family life with the demands of coaching, the lessons learned from his time in the USA, and his love for spontaneous family adventures. His ultimate ambition? Ensuring a stable and fulfilling life for his children beyond football.
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Passion Turned Into Profession
- Football began as a hobby for Andoni Iraola and evolved into his profession over time.
- Turning passion into work changed football from an ideal world into daily work with different pressures.
Games Dictated By The Tide
- Iraola's earliest vivid memories are playing football on San Sebastian's beach as a child.
- Games happened only every two weeks because tides determined whether the beach was available.
Late Bloomer At Athletic Club
- His first proper club was neighborhood side Antiguoko before joining Athletic Club at 16.
- He discovered the possibility of a professional career relatively late compared with peers.