20 January 2024 , 20:30
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Andoni Iraola needed three months to earn his maiden Premier League victory with Bournemouth.
But in his first-ever managerial role with AEK Larnaca in Cyprus - there was no such patience. One win in nine during a barren six-week crisis earned him the chop in January 2019. Yet despite his desperate quest for results, Iraola stuck to his guns and refused to ditch his footballing vision.
"He didn't change too much," says former Larnaca midfielder Vincent Laban. "He always kept calm and my one clear memory is that he trusts himself and his knowledge of football. He had real conviction when sharing ideas.
"Andoni is a typical Spanish coach. He likes to play with the ball and he takes a lot of time to explain and develop the brain of his players. It was not only about the physical side of the game like here in France where I live, it's about tactics and intelligence both with and without the ball."
Unlike Bournemouth, things had started so well for Iraola at Larnaca as they qualified for the Europa League group stages before defeating rivals APOEL on penalties in the Cypriot Super Cup final.
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But the club's promising form quickly nose-dived and his strong personal relationship with his players was not translating into crucial points.
Laban added: "He's a very good person, very respectful, humorous and it's also funny because on the bench he was electric. He was incredibly passionate.
"To be honest, he was not like that on the training pitch at all. He was a very level-headed guy but during matches it was so different.
"He's not the kind of coach that will shout before the game, maybe at half-time it's different but he's very relaxed and trying to speak about football, not something else.
"He was a gentleman and that's not always been the case with other coaches I've worked with during my career. It's just part of his personality."
Andoni Iraola was sacked by AEK Larnaca in January 2019 after a barren six-week rut (Getty Images)Iraola's charm is now beginning to rub off on both his team and the Premier League following a turbulent introduction to English football.
No side has claimed more points than his free-flowing Cherries in the past 10 matches (22) - the same total as today's opponents Liverpool.
It's been a drastic turnaround given Iraola was forced to address questions over his future in October following a late 2-1 home defeat against Wolves.
Even Laban has been taken aback by his former coach's work at the Vitality Stadium.
Andoni Iraola has transformed Bournemouth into one of the Premier League's most in-form teams (Robin Jones)The 39-year-old declared: "It has surprised me that Andoni has reached the Premier League because although he had success with us by qualifying for Europe, it's one thing being relatively successful in Cyprus and it's another step to have success in both Spain and England.
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"I think it's always good to be patient with people. He showed that he has qualities and abilities both as a player and as a manager.
"It was only a matter of time before he found the right way. I think that would have been the case at Larnaca."