Antoine Semenyo has given Liverpool fans a fascinating window into life with Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, just as the Spaniard rises to the top of the list for the Reds’ next manager.
Iraola has quickly become the frontrunner for the Liverpool job following his departure from Bournemouth and the recent dismissal of Arne Slot. Semenyo, who spent two-and-a-half seasons working under the 43-year-old before his move to Manchester City in January, recently reflected on the coach’s methods during an appearance on the In the Mixer podcast.
The Ghana international described how embracing Iraola’s philosophy was a real test at first, thanks to the relentless demands he set for the squad.
“At first, I didn’t really see it. When he arrived, he introduced a completely different way of playing and a new structure for the training week. We hardly had any days off, which was a big adjustment because we were used to having Wednesdays and Sundays free,” Semenyo explained.
He revealed that the team was back to work almost straight after matches, with little time to catch their breath.
“We would play on Saturday and be back training on Sunday. The players who started the game would still take part in the first 30 to 40 minutes of the session. Your legs were heavy, you were exhausted, and during possession drills you were just thinking, ‘This is tough,’” he said.
Semenyo admitted the transition was tough, as early results faltered and fans started to wonder if Iraola was truly the right fit.
“It was a very different experience at the beginning. Results weren’t coming, and there were fans calling for him to be sacked,” he recalled.
But everything changed after a win over Burnley, a moment that convinced the squad to fully embrace their manager’s vision.
“I think after we beat Burnley at home, everything started to change. The players gradually adapted to the system, became more comfortable with it, and from that point onwards, things just kept improving,” Semenyo added.
His words shed light on the demanding yet rewarding methods that sparked Bournemouth’s transformation under Iraola, offering Liverpool fans a taste of what might await at Anfield.
