Story byPep Guardiola reaches pivotal crossroad in the integration of versatile and proven Antoine SemenyoCity XtraSun, January 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM UTC·5 min readIt came as no surprise to hear Andoni Iraola describe Antoine Semenyo as “one of the best I have coached” after the forward scored a 95th minute winner on his final appearance for Bournemouth. The Cherries boss spent years working alongside the Ghanian but less than 24 hours after that goal in a 3-2 win over Tottenham, Semenyo finally joined Manchester City after months of speculation and interest from other Premier League outfits. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis influence on Bournemouth has been phenomenal and one that generates bottomless excitement from a Manchester City perspective, more so due to the imagination of him, Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku leading an attacking line with Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden just behind. But it may take the forward some time to integrate himself into the City line-up for varying reasons, the first being the difference – and equally the challenge – between Iraola and Pep Guardiola’s strengths, weaknesses and styles. As we know, Guardiola’s side aren’t strangers to playing with controlled possession; they are masters at it. The 54-year-old likes his players occupying specific zones to ensure spacing and timing for tackles is absolutely perfect. However, Iraola previously spoke in an interview with The Independent about how that way of playing requires being ‘very, very, very good’. Not only that but Guardiola’s philosophy also prioritises a relentless press when City lose the ball. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn contrast, Iraola tends to favour a more direct and aggressive style of football.