Andoni Iraola is determined to push Bournemouth's incredible season one step further, with the Cherries still in contention for Champions League football after qualifying for Europe for the first time.

Bournemouth held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday, a result that confirmed Arsenal as Premier League champions with one game to spare.

And for the Cherries, it ensured they can finish no lower than seventh and will play in Europe in 2026-27 – though it remains to be seen which competition they will be in.

In sixth place, they are three points adrift of Liverpool in fifth and three clear of Brighton in seventh, though both those teams boast a goal-difference advantage over them. 

Fifth would certainly be enough for Champions League qualification, and sixth would do the job if Aston Villa win Wednesday's Europa League final against Freiburg and then finish in fifth, which is possible if they lose at Manchester City on Sunday, combined with Liverpool beating Brentford.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Iraola – who has already announced he is leaving Bournemouth after three wildly successful seasons – said he could not have asked for a better way to end his reign.

"At the beginning of the season you didn't imagine it. It has been so nice, and we have a chance to fight for the Champions League in the last game," he said.

"We really deserve this, especially for the game. We played so well. We have not won the game, but it does not matter.

"I've enjoyed it so much, how we played and the personality we showed. We had great chances to score the second one and we wanted to win the game, but I've enjoyed it. 

"Today has been a good reflection of the club. I'm very happy for the club, the players, the supporters and the staff.

"It's the best way to finish, with something you can touch. I can't ask for anything more."

But, with one more game to come – away at Nottingham Forest – Iraola is not in any mood to bask in that achievement, adding: "We have a special group of players. 

"They are consistent and always there. Right now, there is nothing about my future in my head, I just want to celebrate and push it further. 

"We have [secured] the Europa League; next let's maximise our options. Can we take the last Champions League spot?"

Asked about his own future, amid links to Bayer Leverkusen, he added: "I still don't know where I will go, but I'm in no rush, let's finish on a high."

The build-up to Tuesday's game was dominated by reports suggesting Pep Guardiola had decided to leave City at the end of the campaign, though he refused to verify those claims before or after kick-off.

Asked about Guardiola's legacy, Iraola said: "Pep is the top of the top. He has won everything. 

"It was a difficult game for them; they played three days ago with the tension of the [FA Cup] final. 

"We made them play a difficult game and they were obviously tired, but they have quality. It makes it even nicer when you play like this against an opponent that is so good."

Bournemouth will now break their Premier League points record for a third successive season if they avoid defeat at Forest, while they are already guaranteed their highest-ever top-flight finish, bettering last term's ninth place. 

Their 17 draws this season are the most for a side to finish in the top half of the Premier League table since Newcastle United in 2003-04 (17, finished fifth).