Bournemouth

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

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Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?

Cherries fans would rate the season simply as 10/10! The club achieving European football for the first time feels remarkable, particularly following a summer losing many key players. Total and utter joy has to be the overriding emotion.

Best moment and why?

There have been plenty of magical moments for Bournemouth fans to enjoy, some huge scalps and many late winners.

The club looked to have caused major damage to Arsenal's title hopes when they impressively rocked up to the Emirates and deservedly won 2-1.

However, Arsenal did win the title, and ironically - it was thanks to Bournemouth. A home draw with Manchester City resulted in the Premier League trophy going to north London, but it was also a game which in itself guaranteed European football for the Cherries - a night that will remain forever in Bournemouth history.

Player of season and why?

It has undoubtedly been a team effort both on and off the pitch that has led to a top-six finish being achieved. There are many consistent performers but it's the 'midfield magician' Alex Scott who has been the standout throughout. Scott's ceiling is certainly high, and he's quickly turning into the complete Premier League midfielder.

Unsung hero and why?

Every successful side has that unsung hero, a player who is so integral to what the team does without always getting the credit they deserve. In Evanilson, Bournemouth have a centre-forward whose selfless running and intelligence is pivotal to how they play and perform.

Biggest disappointment?

The inability to beat two of the three relegated sides is seen as a real annoyance, as is the frustration at not winning against those who were promoted. The Cherries couldn't get past Burnley or West Ham despite their poor seasons, and if they had managed to win just two of those, it would be Champions League football next season.

What needs to change this summer?

That ability to see off sides who are content to defend and snatch a draw is certainly something the club will look to improve on. Turning those draws into wins could elevate Bournemouth to another level.

Major hope for next season?

The major hope for next season is to embrace and progress to the latter stages of the Europa League - while also steering clear of any relegation scrap in the Premier League of course.

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The phrase 'if you're good enough, you're old enough' is often thrown around in the footballing sphere, and Bournemouth have been a bigger advocate for that than any other team in the Premier League this season.

Following victory against Crystal Palace earlier this month Bournemouth became the first side ever to have two teenagers score a goal in back-to-back Premier League games thanks to Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan's goals against the Eagles and Leeds.

Through Kroupi in October and Rayan in May, the Cherries also became the first team in Premier League history to have two different teenagers score in three consecutive games in the same season.

The Frenchman's 13 league goals this season also made Kroupi the highest-scoring teenager in their debut Premier League campaign, overtaking Robbie Fowler from 1993-94 and Robbie Keane from 1999-00 (12).

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Former Bournemouth midfielder Joe Partington says it is "absolutely insane" that the Cherries will be playing in the Europa League next season and the feeling is "surreal".

In Andoni Iraola's final game in charge of the club, Bournemouth confirmed their place in Europe next season for the first time in their history.

And Partington said it is down to the club building to this point over the last few seasons.

Speaking on the Cherries: Unpicked podcast, Partington said: "It's genuinely unbelievable. It's hard to find the words to articulate what it means properly. The supporters, the way that they feel at the moment, that's probably a better way of summing it up.

"It's not just the last 18 months but an accumulation of progress the club has been in for many, many years and nobody thought that this was achievable. The club have made huge statements over the last few years that this is the level they want to get to and this is where they want to be at. A lot of people questioned that and last year, it felt like we got close to it. At the back end of last year, we were chatting about European football, and then the club faded away.

"But now we've finished three points below Liverpool, finished above Chelsea, we'll be travelling to some of Europe's elite clubs next season. It's just insane, it's absolutely insane. The feeling of the supporters will best sum up this moment. They've all been through it.

"It's beyond imaginable what has happened, and yet here we are talking about it, and next season it will become normality, which is even more surreal."

You can listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

Explore more Bournemouth content here

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Now the curtain has come down on the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, here is my end-of-season review - with a look back to what I predicted in August.

Prediction: 15th

A truly remarkable achievement by Andoni Iraola and Bournemouth as they reached Europe for the first time in their 127-year history.

It is even more striking as they lost three first-choice defenders last summer, while main forward Antoine Semenyo joined Manchester City in January.

No matter, as this thrilling team never missed a beat, going 18 league games unbeaten, with Alex Scott and exciting teenager Junior Kroupi outstanding. They were even in Champions League contention until the final day of the season.

One question: why would Iraola leave this behind?

What I said in August: "It would be another sign of Iraola's quality if he can once more direct them into the Premier League's top half."

Check out the rest of my review here

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Bournemouth are currently viewed as "a great stepping-stone club" but the hierarchy must learn "they can't keep selling their best players and continue to succeed", says The Telegraph's Luke Edwards.

The Cherries will play Europa League football next season under new head coach Marco Rose, after securing a sixth-place Premier League finish.

"Bournemouth play some of the most exciting and easy-on-the-eye football in the league," Edwards said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "What a story it is for them - they were in League Two not so long ago. They are this generation's Wimbledon.

"The one thing in football that talks louder than anything else is that you can love your manager to bits, but if someone offers to double or triple your wages it is hard to turn down.

"That's where Bournemouth are always going to be vulnerable because they will have players that are coveted this summer.

"They can't keep selling their best players and continue to succeed, even though I know they have done it brilliantly [up until now]. I do think there will be a dip next season.

"I don't want to talk in a negative light, but [Eli] Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott could leave. I know for a fact Scott is on a lot of top club's summer shortlists.

"But Bournemouth are brilliant sellers. They know when they sign these players, there will come a point where they have to sell them, but they can also charge absolute top whack for them. It is a great stepping-stone club.

"Even though they are celebrating getting Europa League football, they probably know they are going to lose at least two of their key players this summer - but there will be a plan to replace them.

"That's the difference between well-run football clubs and badly run football clubs."

Listen to Football Daily on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Bournemouth qualified for the Europa League as Andoni Iraola's final game in charge ended in a draw at Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Malcolm: A Cherries fan for over 58 years and it doesn't get any better than this. 18 games unbeaten, sixth-place finish in the league and a place in the Europa League next season. Eternally thankful for the three years Andoni has given to the club and what he has achieved. To quote our ex-chairman Jeff Mostyn, "Together, anything is possible." One very proud Cherries fan.

Daniel: It's a relief they're going to Europa and not the Champions League. They would not have done that well, but the Europa is a better introduction. Look at Swansea, they beat Valencia 3-0 away in their first game in Europe!

Mick: Superb season for the Cherries. Andoni will be missed, but the management is top-class. Developing players - which has sadly caused the club to lose some absolute stars, like the whole defence at the end of last season - but the recruitment has been top-notch. I look forward to seeing how the club evolves under Marco Rose. Best of luck in Europe... A position I never thought I'd see when I started following them in 1962. Remarkable.

Steff: What a great job Iraola has done! Hopefully he won't take a step backwards by joining Crystal Palace. That would just be silly! Shades of Southampton for Bournemouth, who reinvigorated several managers, but couldn't keep hold of the best of them, thus stopping their upwards trajectory. I hope I am wrong and that they continue to shock the football world, for some years to come.

Keith: I remember watching from the New Stand on a cold, wet night in February and we played out a draw (I think 0-0) against Barrow. Miserable! Less fans at Dean Court than at City Ground. How times have changed! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we would get to the Premier League, let alone European competition. UTCIAD.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Andoni Iraola replaced Gary O'Neil in June 2023 having taken Rayo Vallecano to 11th in La Liga after leading them to promotion in his first season.

Just three wins in his opening 14 games - including chastening defeats by Arsenal and Manchester City - cast initial doubt on that call as the Cherries took time to adapt to his high-intensity methods.

They won just three points from his opening nine league games before a victory against Burnley earned a first win at the 10th attempt.

"We couldn't take in all the information at first," former striker Dominic Solanke said at the time.

"For me, I'm pressing with a number 10 behind me and, at first, our timing was off. We didn't know when to press or to drop, but now it's second nature as the manager has gone through it many times and it's embedded in our heads, and we are all on the same wavelength. It's natural now."

In the season prior to taking charge at Bournemouth, Iraola's Vallecano forced more high turnovers which led to a shot (68) than any side in the top five European leagues than Bayern Munich (73).

And imposing a similar style at Bournemouth was more his aim on arriving than looking to secure matches against continental opposition.

"I had no idea [about reaching Europe when joining]," said Iraola.

"The first thing from the club was more than the results, changing the style, changing the approach, being more offensive and proactive – that's why they signed me.

"The club was focused on this and this is why I was attracted to the idea. The way of playing took some time but it has given us some incredible results. We have beaten the points record every single season.

"I knew it was almost impossible to get Europe but the owner told me since the beginning 'I want Europe.' To finish the three seasons giving back, not just to the owner but the fans and players, it is one way of thanking them."

Read more about Iraola's time at Bournemouth here

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from all 10 fixtures on the final day of the Premier League season.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 1-0 Everton

• West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal

• Brighton 0-3 Manchester United

Andoni Iraola, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I am feeling so happy right now, so, so happy. Now that everything is done is when you start to think and I become a little bit more emotional. I enjoyed the last moments, the celebrations with the supporters.

"I am quite hard, but I have been really close [to tears]. I cannot ask for much more. I have been so lucky to be in this moment with this group of players with this club. I think it is the perfect ending and I am so thankful."

On what will be hardest to say goodbye to: "The people. I see these guys every day. My every day has been so good. I have enjoyed this so much and it is not easy.

"When you go to work with a smile, even in moments where results are maybe not as good, it is more a challenge. The atmosphere in the club is so positive. The club is growing. Now we are getting incredible results, it is good always to work in this kind of environment."

On what is next for him: "I don't know where I am going. I think it is a moment where we will have to take our time and make decisions. Obviously it's not going to be long because teams have to sign managers. Now is the moment where we will take decisions."

Listen to more from Iraola on BBC Sounds

Hit play below to hear Marcus Tavernier telling BBC Radio Solent's Jordan Clark how the Cherries' "success is fully deserved", or listen on BBC Sounds here

Did you know?

• Bournemouth have finished the 2025-26 Premier League season in sixth place, their highest ever placing in the top flight of English football, rounding out the season with an 18 game unbeaten run. The only non-title winning teams to have a longer run at the end of a campaign are Chelsea (21 in 2007-08) and Liverpool (19 in 2021-22), both of whom finished second.

Bournemouth will play Europa League football next season after finishing sixth in the Premier League.

In the latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Cherries: Unpicked, Jordan Clark and Joe Partington assess the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest and review an incredible season for Andoni Iraola's side.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Bournemouth content on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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On the final day of last season the Champions League was on the line at the City Ground.

Then it was Nottingham Forest, who had spent so long inside the top four, who missed out.

This time visitors Bournemouth were the ones who could have joined the elite to give Andoni Iraola the perfect send off.

It was not to be but that Bournemouth were even in the discussion for Champions League football is extraordinary.

Iraola leaves having taken them into Europe for the first time in their history and with a new training ground and plans to expand the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth are on the brink of a new era.

German Marco Rose has the foundations to push the Cherries to the next level after being appointed as Iraola's successor, the club acting swiftly in April to ensure a smooth transition of power.

The former RB Leipzig manager will expect to have the tools to succeed on the south coast with the club able to attract a different level of player with the lure of European football.

That platform has been created by Iraola, who leaves after a successful three years in charge and having lifted Bournemouth to new levels.

We want to know how you're feeling after Bournemouth qualified for Europa League as Andoni Iraola's final game in charge of the club ended in a draw with Nottingham Forest.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page for a selection of your replies - reaction and analysis to follow shortly

Vitor Pereira makes two changes for Nottingham Forest's final game against Bournemouth.

Ibrahim Sangare returns in midfield to make his first start since the end of April in the 5-0 win at Sunderland.

Jair Cunha also returns to the side while Elliot Anderson makes his 50th appearance of the season for Forest.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Jair Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson, I. Jesus, Wood.

Subs: Ortega; Awoniyi, Ndoye, Dominguez, Yates, McAtee, Netz, Abbott, Sillah.

Bournemouth are unchanged as they look to qualify for the Champions League ahead of Andoni Iraola's final game in charge.

The Cherries need results to go for them - Aston Villa to lose at Manchester City and Liverpool to beat Brentford - for sixth place to earn a Champions League place.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Hill, Sensi, Smith, Truffert, Adams, Scott, Tavernier, Kroupi, Rayan, Evanilson.

Subs: Mandas, Cook, Toth, Diakite, Brooks, Unal, Kluivert, Adli, Gannon-Doak.

It is the last day of the Premier League, every side is in action this Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Burnley v Wolves

• Crystal Palace v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Fulham v Newcastle

• Liverpool v Brentford

• Manchester City v Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth

• Sunderland v Chelsea

• Tottenham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Kick-off times 16:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Leeds", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic spoke to BBC Radio Solent after the Cherries secured European football for the first time in their history.

"It's an amazing feeling to make history here for this club and for this city," he said.

"This is my first year and we made a big step. I am not that surprised because I know the quality we have and then we have very talented players. But the job is not done.'

Listen to the full conversation on BBC Sounds or by clicking play on the clip above

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

This one gets a little bit confusing, but Aston Villa's Europa League final win over Freiburg make things clearer.

Because England has won one of two Elite Performance Spots (EPS) for next season's Champions League, five Premier League clubs will feature in the competition instead of four. Like England, Spain have also guaranteed five clubs.

We already know that Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Villa are four of those.

But because of Villa winning the Europa League, there is a scenario where six English clubs qualify for the Champions League next term.

For that to happen, Villa would need to finish fifth.

Currently, they are fourth - three points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool. That means Liverpool would need to beat Brentford and hope Villa lose at City for them to overtake Unai Emery's team.

Fans of Bournemouth and Brighton will also hope this happens. If it does, it means one of them would join Liverpool and be a sixth English team in the Champions League.

The Cherries only need a point at Nottingham Forest to guarantee a top-six finish.

Meanwhile, the Seagulls would need to beat Manchester United and for Bournemouth to lose to finish sixth.

Liverpool only need a point to guarantee a top-five finish. But if they lose at home to the Bees, they would only not finish fifth if Bournemouth win at Forest and the Cherries overturned a six-goal deficit in goal difference. Of course, if they ended up in sixth then it would be Europa League and not Champions League for the Anfield side.

Whoever finishes in seventh will also enter the Europa League.

A win for Brighton would guarantee them Europa League football at least. If the Seagulls fail to win and Chelsea win at Sunderland, the Blues would overtake Albion.

Chelsea can also overtake Brighton with a draw, if Brighton were to lose by two goals and Brentford fail to win at Liverpool.

Whoever finishes eighth will enter the Conference League next season.

Got it?

There will be no last-day drama for Nottingham Forest, who have done pretty well to stay up when you consider they have had four different managers this season.

This is Andoni Iraola's last game in charge of Bournemouth and I am expecting him to win it.

The Cherries showed how good they are against Manchester City in midweek and they will be on the front foot again here.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth visit Nottingham Forest on Sunday knowing they are already assured of a first European adventure next season – but they need a number of results to go their way to land a place in the Champions League.

It was Forest who enjoyed their own continental quest this year, with an impressive run to the Europa League semi-finals providing a welcome distraction to their domestic woes.

Pereira pulling up Trees

Vitor Pereira took over from Sean Dyche in February and has steered the Tricky Trees to safety thanks in no small part to an eight-game unbeaten run that ended with a 3-2 defeat by Manchester United last week.

In fact, since the Portuguese head coach's arrival, Forest have been the eighth-best team in the division.

Morgan Gibbs-White was on the scoresheet again at Old Trafford, his 14th league goal of the season, but he was absent from the England World Cup squad named by Thomas Tuchel on Friday, despite boasting better numbers than some of the attacking midfielders selected.

Pereira's side enter the final day in 16th but could still climb as high as 11th with a win and several kind results elsewhere, although this is not ordinarily a fixture they fare well in.

Forest are winless in all seven of their Premier League games against Bournemouth (D3 L4) - that's both the most they've faced a side without ever winning and the most the Cherries have played a team without losing in the competition.

Iraola's last stand

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola will want to bow out on a high in what is the Spaniard's last game before departing Vitality Stadium – and what a position he leaves the club in.

The Cherries are sixth, which may be enough for a Champions League spot, but it relies on Aston Villa, who are currently fourth, finishing fifth. Regardless, they cannot drop lower than seventh, and therefore a Europa League spot, at the very least, is guaranteed.

Had it not been for a vast number of draws, the Dorset club might already have confirmed their place among Europe's elite. They've shared the points 17 times this season; one more stalemate would set an outright Premier League record for a 38-game season.

It's already the most draws by any side finishing in the top half of the table since Newcastle United in 2003-04 (17, finished fifth).

Nine of those draws have come in Bournemouth's ongoing 17-game unbeaten run in the league, a sequence that is unrivalled in the top flight this season.

Defender Marcos Senesi will also bid farewell to the Cherries faithful on Sunday after confirming he will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract.

Only left-back Adrien Truffert has played more minutes this season among his outfield team-mates, while goalkeeper Djorde Petrovic is one of just six players in the league to have played every minute of the campaign so far.

Boxer and Bournemouth fan Chris Billam-Smith speaking to Cherries: Unpicked on an episode about the club's incredible season and European qualification: "It's absolutely wild. I was there against City, tears were shed. I couldn't believe what our little old club had gone on to achieve. You kind of knew it was gong to happen at some point with the way things have been going but now it's here, it's breath-taking and out-of-this-world stuff.

"It just goes to show the belief from the owners. I have had a few conversations with Bill Foley and he just has this winning mentality. Every conversation I have had with him has involved him mentioning winning or getting things done. That belief just filters down through the whole club."

Listen above or on BBC Sounds - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.