Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo has heaped praise on AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, backing the Spanish tactician to become one of the best managers in world football.
Iraola has made a strong impression in his debut Premier League season, guiding the Cherries to 10th place on the table as they chase a historic qualification for European football.
Bournemouth currently trail the final European spot by eight points, but their progress under Iraola has not gone unnoticed.
Speaking to SuperSport, Semenyo highlighted Iraola’s exceptional man-management skills and strong rapport with the squad.
“He has the potential to be a top manager. Great guy, player management besides, he’s so good,” Semenyo said.
“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.”
Semenyo, who has scored nine goals and provided five assists across all competitions this season, also credited Iraola for giving him the freedom to express himself in attack.
“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 said.
“So he’s given me that licensing games to do that as well, but I’m also reciprocating and helping in defense and recovery, runs and whatever it is defensively.”
The 25-year-old also emphasized the importance of balancing attacking flair with defensive discipline.
“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 will look to continue his strong form when Bournemouth host Fulham at the Vitality Stadium on Monday, April 14.
