AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola admitted to sometimes flicking through the newspapers despite saying that it is “better not to know” what those outside the club are saying.

Nearing the end of his first season in charge on the south coast, Iraola has guided Cherries to virtual safety in the Premier League after garnering 41 points in 31 games.

With seven games remaining, Cherries are 16 points clear of 17th placed Luton Town.

Early survival looked unlikely after Iraola started his Cherries career without a win in his first nine Premier League games, but strong spells in December and March have set Bournemouth up for a strong finish.

During the winless beginning to the season, Iraola and Cherries came under harsh scrutiny from the national press, with many questioning the decision to sack previous head coach Gary O’Neil.

Asked about dealing with the media, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “It’s difficult to say.

“I try not to give too much importance to the outside, I try to enjoy it.

“It is not always easy, but I think it's the way I see the manager.

“We have to enjoy, even if we know that there will be tough times, but I have felt respected always.

“In Spain, here, the media, the supporters.

“I feel respected - obviously you will receive bad criticism – it’s normal.

“Because when I go to watch my team I’ve supported always, you can shout the same and you can disagree with the decisions.

“It's something that we have to accept.

“It’s part of your job - you have to accept it.”

Iraola went on to explain how he sometimes falls down the rabbit hole when researching opposition team news, stumbling upon articles covering his own team.

“It's difficult to have a complete separation because we also read the news,” continued the Basque boss.

“Because I have to prepare for the opposition, and I want to read news from the opposition and who is available, who has trained.

“And then you read your own news.

“It's difficult, but I try not to give too much importance, try to keep the noise outside even when it's good or it's bad, because it affects you.

“It's better not to know.

“I've been a player for a lot of years, and we also have this experience that helps us too.

“You can accept that sometimes if you don't receive critiques, if you don't have pressure, it’s not normal, it’s not a good thing.”