Eddie Howe leaves Bournemouth

Following their relegation from the Premier League, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has left the club by mutual consent.

The Cherries’ five -year stint in the top flight came to an end last month as they fell short by just one point. Despite beating Everton 3-1 on the final day, Aston Villa salvaged a point at West Ham, which was enough to see them survive.

Howe, 42, had been in charge at the Vitality Stadium for more than 450 games in two different spells that spanned over a decade.

In his days as a player, he came through the youth ranks at Bournemouth and enjoyed three different spells at the club. Between 1994 and 2002, he made 200 appearances and scored 10 goals before joining Portsmouth. He returned to Dean Court initially on loan, before signing on a permanent in 2004, where he spent another three years before retiring. In total, Howe played 272 matches for Bournemouth and scored all 15 of his career goals there.

In an open letter to the fans, Howe said: “Having spent a total of 25 years with the club as both a player and a manager, this decision – made together with the club – is one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make.

“However, although the affection and love I have for this football club will always remain, we collectively feel that now is the right time for the club to go in a new direction.

“Bournemouth will always be in my heart, but I firmly believe now is the right time for the club to have a change.”

Chief executive Neil Blake described Howe as a ‘Bournemouth legend’ and that he helped to “transform the identity and history of the club”.

The Cherries had had a meteoric rise up the football league under Howe’s management, leasing them from League Two to the Premier League and three promotions in six seasons.

But after losing 22 games out of 38 this season, the club finished 18th and will return to the Championship for the 2020/21 season.