Andoni Iraola

Andoni Iraola Sagarna is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a right back, currently manager of Rayo Vallecano.

Iraola was born in Usurbil, Gipuzkoa. A product of Athletic Bilbao's youth system at Lezama after joining from Antiguoko, he made his debut with the first team in the 2003–04 season, becoming an instant first choice while often taking penalties and free kicks.

During his 12 seasons, Iraola never played in fewer than 30 league matches, scoring in all but one league campaign – like former club legend Aitor Larrazábal, who played as a left back – while also helping the Basque side finish second in three Copa del Rey tournaments and the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League. On 28 January 2007 he netted twice in a 2–0 away win over neighbours Real Sociedad, who were finally relegated; Athletic narrowly avoided the drop, ranking in 17th position. He played his first cup final in 2009, a 1–4 loss to Barcelona at Mestalla in Valencia, and three years later helped them finish runners-up in both the domestic cup and the Europa League.

Iraola renewed his contract with the club on 4 December 2013, keeping him at the San Mamés until 30 June 2015. In the 24th minute of his last league appearance against Villarreal CF in May 2015, Aritz Aduriz offered him the taking of a penalty kick but he declined, so the former converted it instead; the two players then combined for Iraola to score from open play four minutes later.[13] He captained the team in his last match, the 2015 Copa del Rey Final which was lost 3–1 to Barcelona.

Iraola moved abroad for the first time in his career, on 16 June 2015at the age of 33,  signing for Major League Soccer club New York City FC. Iraola announced his retirement on 17 November 2016.

Iraola was appointed manager of Cypriot club AEK Larnaca FC on 18 June 2018, succeeding compatriot Imanol Idiakez. He was sacked the following 14 January, after nearly two months without winning a single match.

Iraola replaced departed Borja Jiménez at the helm of CD Mirandés on 10 July 2019, newly promoted to Segunda División. He took the team to the semi-finals of the Spanish Cup for the second time in their 92-year history, notably disposing of top-tier sides RC Celta de Vigo, Sevilla FC and Villarreal. On 21 July 2020, he left the club as his contract expired.

Iraola remained in the second division in August 2020, taking over from Paco Jémez at Rayo Vallecano. On 6 July 2021, after achieving promotion in the playoffs, he extended his contract until 2022. The following season, he again led a club to the last four of the national cup; it was the second time Rayo had achieved this, the first occasion coming 40 years earlier.