👶⚽ JOYFUL ARRIVAL FOR BOURNEMOUTH BOSS: A.F.C. BOURNEMOUTH HEAD COACH ANDONI IRAOLA AND WIFE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF THEIR BOUNCING BABY BOY IN AN EMOTIONAL FAMILY MOMENT MARKED BY LOVE, PRIDE, AND CLUB SUPPORT…

By Sports Correspondent | June 20, 2025 | Bournemouth, England

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND — The halls of the maternity ward at Bournemouth’s Royal Hospital buzzed with excitement and celebration this week, as A.F.C. Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola and his wife welcomed the arrival of their first son, a healthy and adorable baby boy. The moment marked a monumental personal milestone for the 41-year-old Spanish tactician, who has enjoyed a strong connection with his club and community since taking over managerial duties at Bournemouth.

Though known for his tactical precision and cool demeanor on the sidelines, Andoni Iraola could not hold back a flood of emotion as he shared the news of his son’s birth. Flanked by his glowing wife and surrounded by close family, the coach shared a heartwarming message through the club’s official social media account, one that instantly struck a chord with fans and football figures across Europe.

🍼 A Family Moment That Captivated the Football World

At approximately 9:14 AM on Tuesday morning, the Iraola family expanded by one member. With his wife by his side in the delivery room, Iraola witnessed the birth of a son they later named Mikel Iraola, in honor of his late grandfather. According to a close family source, mother and child are in “perfect health,” and both parents were “overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.”

Hospital staff described the scene as emotional and intimate, with Andoni frequently stepping away to wipe away tears of joy. The coach, known for his composed touchline manner, appeared totally transformed — now a proud father basking in the glow of new life.

“He looked like any other father — nervous, grateful, emotional,” said Dr. Harriet McCallister, the obstetrician on duty. “He held his wife’s hand the entire time and kept whispering to her in Spanish. It was touching to watch.”

🏥 Inside the Maternity Suite: An Intimate Look

Sources inside the hospital confirmed that the Iraolas were provided a private luxury maternity suite, a common privilege for public figures in the UK. The room was adorned with modest bouquets, and the family reportedly played soft Basque lullabies during labor to soothe the atmosphere.

Shortly after the delivery, club officials, including Bournemouth’s sporting director Neill Blake, arrived discreetly to extend their congratulations. According to insiders, a large bouquet of red roses, a fruit basket, and a limited-edition A.F.C. Bournemouth baby jersey with “IRAOLA JR” printed on the back were delivered by staff on behalf of the squad.

In one touching moment, several senior players sent in video messages, including captain Lewis Cook and forward Dominic Solanke. Solanke’s message, recorded just after training, included a lighthearted welcome: “Can’t wait for little Mikel to be leading our midfield in about 18 years!”

❤️ Messages Pour In From Across the Footballing World

Football personalities from both Spain and the UK sent their congratulations across social media and in private messages. Iraola’s former Athletic Bilbao teammates were among the first to react. Legendary Spanish striker Aritz Aduriz posted a photo of Iraola from their playing days with the caption: “From field general to father. Felicidades, hermano.”

Premier League coaches also responded. Pep Guardiola, a longtime admirer of Iraola’s coaching philosophy, sent a message of support:

“Family is the greatest victory. Welcome to fatherhood, Andoni. You’ll be great.”

Even Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, known for his passionate personality, recorded a special congratulatory video before his scheduled media duties:

“Congratulations, Coach Iraola! Hope you got some sleep last night — it won’t happen again for a few years, ha ha!”

🏠 Private Joy, Public Attention: How the Club Reacted

A.F.C. Bournemouth acted quickly to share the news while respecting the family’s privacy. A club spokesperson released a short statement:

“We are delighted to confirm that our head coach Andoni Iraola and his wife have welcomed a beautiful baby boy. Both mother and child are doing well. The entire A.F.C. Bournemouth family sends their love and warmest congratulations.”

To mark the occasion, the Vitality Stadium was subtly decorated with blue balloons and a congratulatory banner that read:
“FELICIDADES COACH IRAOLA – WELCOME BABY CHERRY!”

Several youth academy players who were training that morning were seen applauding when the announcement was made over the stadium intercom. The club’s official social media accounts shared an adorable baby-boot-themed graphic with the caption:
“A new Cherry joins the family 👶🔴⚫”

⚽ From La Liga to Fatherhood: Iraola’s Journey

Born in Usurbil in the Basque Country, Andoni Iraola spent most of his professional playing career at Athletic Bilbao, becoming a fan favorite for his elegance, leadership, and loyalty. After retirement, he made the leap into coaching, guiding clubs like Mirandés and Rayo Vallecano to overachieving seasons with fast-paced, disciplined football.

His appointment at A.F.C. Bournemouth in June 2023 was initially met with cautious optimism. However, his first two seasons have been widely praised, with the Cherries not only surviving but thriving in the Premier League, playing enterprising football and recording landmark wins over traditional big-six opponents.

Now in his third season, Iraola has become a symbol of tactical ingenuity, calm leadership, and now — family man devotion. A teammate-turned-friend from his Bilbao days told Spanish outlet Marca:

“Andoni is the kind of man who excels at whatever he does — football, relationships, and now, fatherhood. That baby is in good hands.”

🏖️ Paternity Leave or Matchday Duties?

While the coach remains deeply committed to his job, insiders say Iraola is expected to take a few days off to spend time with his family, possibly skipping a pre-season planning meeting. However, he is not expected to miss any matchday duties.

Club insiders also revealed that the squad was already made aware of the pregnancy months ago, and several players had been preparing baby gifts in anticipation. Among the rumored gift givers are Marcos Senesi, Antoine Semenyo, and goalkeeper Neto, who reportedly gifted a hand-crafted baby crib made by artisans in Dorset.

There is no word yet on whether the family will return to Spain during the summer for a formal Basque baptism, but club insiders say such plans are “under consideration.”

👨‍👩‍👦 A Coach Reborn Through Fatherhood

Iraola’s transition from coach to father seems seamless. Close friends say he has long been excited about family life but preferred to keep his private affairs away from the public eye.

One source within the club’s media team noted:

“You never heard him boast or talk much about his personal life. But when he did, you could see his eyes light up when he spoke about his wife. Now with the baby, he’s glowing.”

The new fatherhood role also adds a deeper layer to the respect he commands within the squad. Veteran defender Chris Mepham commented:

“We already saw him as a leader. Now we see him as a man who’s living life fully — committed to both his job and his family. It’s inspiring.”

🧸 Fans React With Warmth and Excitement

The A.F.C. Bournemouth fan base, known for its tightly knit community, responded warmly to the news. By mid-afternoon, a flood of congratulatory posts had overwhelmed the club’s Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.

One user wrote:

“Congratulations gaffer! Hope Baby Iraola grows up to lead us to Champions League glory 😄👶⚽”

Another post, more sentimental in tone, read:

“After all the ups and downs, this is the kind of story that reminds us football is family.”

Supporters even launched an impromptu campaign to create a limited-edition “IRAOLA JR” baby kit, with proceeds going toward a local children’s charity. Within hours, over 2,000 fans had signed an online petition to make it happen.

🇪🇸 Spanish Media Reacts: ‘El Mister’ Now ‘El Padre’

In Spain, especially the Basque region, the news took on almost national importance. Local papers like El Correo and Mundo Deportivo ran the story on their front pages, accompanied by images of Iraola and heartfelt commentary.

One op-ed from AS read:

“From leading Rayo Vallecano to Premier League stardom, and now into fatherhood — Andoni Iraola embodies the journey of the modern football man: intelligent, sensitive, and deeply grounded.”

📸 First Photo Shared — “Little Hands, Big Dreams”

Late Wednesday evening, Andoni and his wife shared the first official photo of baby Mikel on a private family Instagram page later re-shared by the club. In the photo, Iraola gently holds his baby son’s tiny hand, with the caption:
“Little hands, big dreams. Bienvenido, Mikel. ❤️”

Within moments, the post went viral across fan forums and football subreddits, with thousands of likes and emotional reactions.

👶 Looking Ahead: A New Season, A New Chapter

As pre-season training draws near, Andoni Iraola prepares to return to work not just as head coach but now as a father. While he’ll again face the challenges of managing player form, tactics, and Premier League expectations, there’s no doubt he’ll approach the pitch with a renewed sense of perspective.

Because no matter how many goals are scored or matches are won, the greatest addition to his life this summer isn’t a new signing or formation change — it’s the tiny new Cherry born on June 17, 2025.

Congratulations, Coach Iraola and family — your Bournemouth family shares in your joy. 💙