Jamie Carragher's warning to Andoni Iraola amid Tottenham link

Jamie Carragher believes Andoni Iraola's high-intensity style may be to his detriment when it comes the Spanish tactician being in the running for a top Premier League job.

After recording their highest points total in the top-flight under Iraola last term, Bournemouth have built on those foundations and have matched their previous points tally with six games to spare, placing the Cherries in contention for European football next season.

Catapulting the Cherries into the top half of the Premier League with a dynamic blueprint focused on territorial gains and retrieving possession early, Iraola has received an array of plaudits for his work on the Dorset coast.

However, a six-game winless run from the end of February through to April highlighted the pitfalls of Iraola's demanding style, and Carragher issued a warning to the Cherries boss that such a trait may hamper his prospects.

Assessing Bournemouth's season on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Carragher said: "The thing that stands out consistently is, there's a drop off. We know how they play, how physical they are.

"I think this is a worry for Iraola himself in terms of where he goes in management. He's one of the favourites if one of the so-called giants of the game in this country is looking for a manager.

Bournemouth fans might not be happy with me saying it, the ambition for every player or manager is to be at the top.

Iraola's current contract runs to the end of the 2025/26 season and the deal, which he signed in May last year, is rumoured to include a £10m release clause.

Tottenham are one club reportedly keeping tabs on Iraola as they weigh up a decision on the under pressure Ange Postecoglou.

"Owners will be looking at the injury record," Carragher added. "You think of (Marcelo) Bielsa, a lot of injuries, Jurgen Klopp, a lot of injuries, and Iraola, because of the way they play.

"When they drop off that much in the second half of the season, if you're a big club, the second half of the season is when the trophies get given out.

"Don't forget, he's a manager who has never managed in Europe. He has only managed over 50 games once in one season for one team. If you're a big club, you're playing eight to 12, maybe 15 games more.

"I think that's something that future owners will be looking at when they're assessing managers. That could put them off."

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Jaquob Crooke

• A.F.C. Bournemouth
• Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
• Premier League
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