Andoni Iraola: Why do Premier League bosses struggle after stepping up to ‘big-six’ clubs?

The reasons are not always immediately obvious, but they are consistent.

There are more matches, including European competition, and less time to prepare.

In the 2025-26 season, the traditional ‘big-six’ clubs played an average of 55 matches across all competitions – eight more than other Premier League teams.

Success at other top-flight clubs can come from clever transfer business and overperformance relative to resources.

In many cases, simply maintaining their Premier League status is a club’s primary objective, with anything beyond that considered a bonus – a contrast to an expectation of delivering trophies.

Expectations shift from exceeding targets to meeting them consistently. Winning is no longer an incentive – it is a minimum requirement.

A run of poor form that might be tolerated elsewhere can quickly become decisive. The pressure is greater, the scrutiny more intense, and the margin for error smaller.

Even managers with strong reputations and clearly defined styles have found that adjustment difficult.

That does not mean the move is destined to fail. Redknapp, Rodgers and Pochettino variously show it can work – and Maresca’s trophies show success is possible.

Iraola left Bournemouth after leading them to Europe for the first time, a rise that makes his next step even more significant.

Would a season in Europe at Bournemouth have been beneficial to Iraola? Or can the Spaniard buck the trend and end the trophyless streak of managers making a ‘big-six’ move?