FA Cup glory more important than Europe for Bournemouth boss Iraola

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola insists winning the FA Cup would mean more to him than qualifying for European football.

The Cherries are one step away from reaching Wembley as they host Manchester City in Sunday’s quarter-final tie at the Vitality Stadium.

In recent times, Premier League clubs have seemingly prioritised trying to get into continental tournaments over winning the world’s oldest cup competition due to the riches European football can bring.

But for Spanish coach Iraola, the lure of winning trophies trumps the achievement of qualifying for Europe.

Speaking to Guillem Balague on BBC 5 Live’s Football Daily, he said: “The FA Cup is, for me, much more important than playing in Europe. It’s a title.

“Sometimes they talk about the cup competitions as a way to get into Europe. I don’t care about Europe.

“We are playing in a final, we are fighting for a title. For me, it’s much more important.”

This. Is. Massive.

Quarter-final.

Bring your red and black. Bring the noise, for the boys pic.twitter.com/QNzN5Y1AfU

— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) March 30, 2025

Bournemouth have never won a major trophy and will face a City side whose last chance of silverware this season comes in the FA Cup.

Iraola has no doubt his side are capable of getting the job done despite the fact their opponents will be fancied as favourites.

“I think we can win it,” he added. “Probably we are not the favourites, especially with the opposition we have in the quarter-finals but I think we have shown [we can win it].

“We are three games away from winning it. With a good day from our players, we can beat all the teams. I think we have a chance, probably not as big as City or Aston Villa, but I think we have our chance.”