Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has said finishing in a European place would be the "best way" to finish his time at the club.

The former Spain defender joined Bournemouth in 2023, replacing Gary O'Neil, but will leave in the summer when his contract expires. With two games of the Premier League season remaining, Iraola's team is sixth in a Europa League spot. They are just four points off a Champions League place and could still end up in the Conference League.

Sixth place may even secure a Champions League berth should Aston Villa beat Freiburg in the Europa League final and finish fifth.

"It would be the best way to finish these amazing three seasons," Iraola said. "Especially this year, it has been really challenging for me as a coach because we've changed the team a lot and we've changed, not completely our style, but it's a different type of football comparing to last season."

Bournemouth, who have never played in European competition in their 127-year history, will face title-chasing Manchester City on Tuesday (19:30 BST) and travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday (16:00 BST).

Just one point is required from their last two games to secure a European finish. "We are really close, but there is a big difference between being really close and getting it and grabbing it," Iraola added.

Bournemouth are on a remarkable 16-match unbeaten run in the top flight, the longest of any side in the competition this season. Their last defeat came against leaders Arsenal on 3 January. Iraola's team has not been defeated since selling top scorer Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in the January transfer window, with the forward returning to the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday.

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