ANDONI Iraola explained why he feels it is “difficult” to maintain top performance levels at both club and international football.

The displays of various nations have come under the spotlight during Euro 2024 this summer, not least England, who scraped past Slovakia and into the quarter-finals over the weekend.

Gareth Southgate’s side have had plenty of criticism for their performances, following a narrow win over Serbia and draws with Denmark and Slovenia.

Many had tipped them to win the tournament, down mainly to having some of the world’s top attacking talent in their line-up, such as Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.

But they have been far from convincing so far, ahead of Saturday’s clash with Switzerland.

Cherries boss Iraola played international football himself, earning seven caps for Spain between 2008 and 2011, while an Athletic Bilbao player.

Most of his appearances came in friendlies, injury ruling him out of Euro 2008, while he also played nine times for the Basque Country.

Asked what he felt were the biggest differences between playing club and international football, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “It is difficult, because normally you don’t play the same style of football.

“It is difficult to find clubs that play the same style of football as England or Spain.

“You have to change some things and probably a lot of players are used to being very important, starting every game for their clubs and then they go to the national team and they have to play a different role.

“But normally everyone is happy to do this.”