Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo has tipped Andoni Iraola, manager of AFC Bournemouth, to become one of the top coaches in world football.
The 25-year-old striker, who has been a standout performer for the Cherries this season, believes Iraola’s leadership and ability to connect with players both on and off the pitch have been key to the team’s progress.
“He has the potential to be a top manager. Great guy, player management, besides, he’s so good,” Semenyo told SuperSport.
“I feel like he gets on with the players. He gets on with the team so well, and that’s so important. You want to be able to get on with the players off the pitch as well as on the pitch. So I feel like he does a good job of that. Hence why we’re where we are in the table.”
Under Iraola’s guidance, Bournemouth currently sit 10th in the Premier League standings and are just eight points away from the European qualification spots. The Spanish coach is aiming to make history by guiding the club to European football for the first time ever.
Semenyo, who has scored nine goals and provided five assists in all competitions this season, also credited Iraola for the freedom he’s been given in attack — a factor he says has helped him find his rhythm and express himself more confidently on the pitch.
“He’s given me that freedom in attack. He’s seen it in training over and over, where I just feel free, feel relaxed, and I’m just easing, going past players with ease, shooting from long range, getting that success,” he explained.
“So he’s given me that license in games to do that as well, but I’m also reciprocating and helping in defense and recovery, runs and whatever it is defensively.
“I feel like that’s the reason why I’m getting so much freedom, because I’m doing the defensive job that I need to. So then we get the ball, I’ve got all the space in the world for attacking. So, yeah, he’s giving me that license of freedom,” he added.
Semenyo is expected to play a key role when Bournemouth host Fulham at the Vitality Stadium on Monday, April 14, as the Cherries continue their push toward a historic European qualification.
