ANDONI Iraola’s impressive first season as head coach of Cherries has been rewarded with a new contract.

When he arrived at the club last summer, Iraola penned a deal until 2025, but he has now put pen-to-paper to stay at Vitality Stadium for an additional year, until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Without a win in his first nine Premier League matches as boss, Iraola guided Cherries on a remarkable run. They have now broken their club-record top-flight points record, with 48, eclipsing the tally of 46 under Eddie Howe in 2016-17.

That has seen Iraola nominated for the Premier League manager of the season award, alongside Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery.

Cherries round off their season against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, still in with a chance of finishing in the top half.

Speaking last week, Iraola said he would be “very open” to talking with the club about extending his contract and now a deal has been reached.

Discussing his new deal, Iraola said: "I'm very happy to sign the contract. For me, it is a matter of renewing the confidence from both sides.

"We have had a good experience with our first season together in the Premier League, and I am happy that both sides want to continue the relationship further.

"I'm proud that we achieved the points record. We are playing in a difficult competition, with very good opposition.

"The season started slowly, but I think we improved a lot and are playing in the right way.

"We have to continue improving the team, because the level of the Premier League is really high, and I'm looking forward to working with (technical director) Simon (Francis) and the rest of the team over the summer to help us do that. 

"I would like to thank the supporters for everything in our first year together.

"I am thankful that they were supporting us even in the beginning when we were not winning games, and that they have been very helpful to the players for the whole year."