Bournemouth's battle to keep Andoni Iraola as Tottenham eye Premier League's hottest property, why Max Dowman CAN'T bail Arsenal out of injury crisis and another Spurs injury blow: SAMI MOKBEL COLUMN

Andoni Iraola seems like he has his head screwed on. Speak to those at Bournemouth and they describe a down to earth guy without a shred of ego. And Bournemouth are banking on Iraola staying true to his low maintenance self in the coming months. Because the Spaniard’s reputation is flourishing. The admiration, how ever unwanted from Bournemouth’s perspective, is growing. For clubs the size of Bournemouth, that is the price of success. They sit seventh in the Premier League, a point off fifth which could guarantee a Champions League place next season, and are on the brink of European football for the first time in their 126-year history. And it isn’t only their brilliant young manager who has caught the attention.

Their Rolls Royce centre back Dean Huijsen is on the radar of England’s biggest clubs - Chelsea among the teams interested. Winger Antoine Semenyo, Huijsen's centre back partner Illia Zabarnyi and Hungary left back Milos Kerkez are also attracting glances from elsewhere. If all four are still on the south coast next season then Bournemouth will have had an astonishingly successful summer window, regardless of incomings.

But it’s their brilliant Basque manager’s head the Cherries should be most concerned about turning. Iraola’s stock is rising at a rapid pace. Andoni Iraola is the hottest managerial property in the Premier League this season. Iraola has led Bournemouth to seventh and the brink of European football for the first time. And to think English football (me included) frenziedly questioned the merits of Bournemouth’s decision to sack Gary O’Neil, who successfully kept the club in the Premier League just weeks earlier, in June 2023 to make way for Iraola, who arrived from Rayo Vallecano.

Leeds and Crystal Palace had both shown varying degrees of interest in Iraola before Bournemouth took the plunge - but the Spaniard was a virtual unknown to us before then-Cherries sporting director Richard Hughes, since poached by Liverpool, recommended the coach to owner Bill Foley. We all know who he is now, of course. With his eye catching brand of high-risk, high-press football, Iraola is the name on the lips of boardroom executives across the Premier League.

Clubs in his homeland are also taking notice, too. There will come a time when Iraola outgrows Bournemouth if his career trajectory continues to rise in the fashion it has. Those at the Vitality Stadium realise the current direction of travel, though they believe they can keep the wolves from the door a little longer yet. In the event of Tottenham parting with Ange Postecoglou, expect Iraola to be towards the top of their preferred shortlist. That said, don’t expect Iraola to jump ship should Spurs decide enough is enough - and certainly not during the season.

Besides his obvious aptitude for the job, there are other factors that make Iraola such an intriguing proposition. For example, the Spaniard heads into the final 12 months of his contract at the end of this season - an enticing scenario for any suitor as it will not cost top dollar to get him out of his current contract. The smart money is on Bournemouth seeking to resolve that contractual uncertainty sooner rather than later with the offer of another 12-month extension - though sources have indicated that discussions over a deal are yet to get underway.

If Ange Postecoglou departs Tottenham, expect Iraola to be at the top of their shortlist. Postecoglou's Spurs are 13 points and seven places behind Bournemouth this season. It should also be pointed out that Iraola, historically, has never worked to long contracts, choosing instead to sign shorter-term deals. Nevertheless the longer there isn’t a visible commitment by Iraola to Bournemouth, the more encouragement it may offer to rival clubs.

Bournemouth, though, are comfortable in their belief that Iraola knows he is on to a good thing on the south coast. He’s moulded a young and vibrant team in his own image. This team, provided they can keep it together, is just getting started. Why would he walk away from that?. If Tottenham do come for Iraola, the attraction is clear; a globally recognised football club with an infrastructure to rival the very best on the planet. But Tottenham’s most recent history tells us that doesn’t necessarily translate to success on the pitch.

Despite his unassuming nature, Iraola would back himself to be a success at Spurs. But he is also intelligent enough to grasp the obstacles that may prevent him form achieving his goals in north London. Oh and Bournemouth are currently 13 points clear of 14th-placed Tottenham. Indeed, if Iraola plays his cards right there will likely be even bigger opportunities on the horizon in the future. Some offers are simply too good to refuse, of course. For instance, if Athletic Bilbao knocked on his door one day, you’d imagine he’d find it difficult to turn down given his emotional ties to a club he played over 400 matches for.