Andoni Iraola praises Antoine Semenyo ahead of Manchester City move

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has paid glowing tribute to Antoine Semenyo following confirmation that the forward is set to join Manchester City.

Semenyo is poised to leave the Cherries after City agreed to meet his £65million release clause, which is active until January 10. Despite the impending transfer, Bournemouth pushed to keep the winger available for as long as possible — and Semenyo repaid that faith in dramatic fashion.

The Ghanaian delivered a decisive final contribution on Wednesday night, smashing home a stoppage-time winner against Tottenham Hotspur at the Vitality Stadium.

Substituted moments later, Semenyo received a huge ovation from the home crowd before applauding supporters around the ground after the final whistle — a fitting send-off on his 26th birthday.

The goal also ended Bournemouth’s winless run, securing their first victory since October.

Reflecting on Semenyo’s conduct throughout the process, Iraola praised both his professionalism and character.

“I think it’s not easy to do what he has done because a lot of players would have acted differently,” Iraola said.
“He’s never found excuses. He was ready to give whatever we needed.

“We pushed a lot to keep him until the last second here, and I think it’s fair that he leaves with the feeling he had at the end — with the substitution and the reception of the supporters.

“He has earned all this and I’m very happy for him because we know he’s a top player, but especially a top person.”

While pleased for Semenyo personally, Iraola admitted the scale of the challenge Bournemouth now face.

“He’s a big miss for us. It’s a player you cannot replace,” he said. “It’s been a difficult week for us because we also lost Justin Kluivert with injury.

“To lose Justin and Antoine in the same week, for a club like us, is a big thing. The club is working and we will try to sign new players, but it’s very difficult to replace this level of player.”

Asked how Manchester City might deploy Semenyo, Iraola admitted he was unsure but backed the forward to succeed at the highest level.

“He’s a player who has been improving every single season with us,” Iraola explained. “He’s gone through the lower divisions and stepped up every year. That’s been his trajectory, and I think he’s ready to do it again.

“I hope he does.”

Iraola also suggested the transfer is now largely procedural.

“I suppose there are formalities — medicals, these things,” he added. “I haven’t been with him after the game yet, but yes, I think it’s a matter of formalities.”

With medicals and paperwork expected to follow swiftly, Semenyo’s focus will soon turn to life under Pep Guardiola. For Bournemouth, attention now shifts to the transfer market as they attempt to fill the void left by one of their standout performers.

Can Antoine Semenyo make the leap from Bournemouth star to Manchester City difference-maker?