Howe to take a break after eight years at Bournemouth

EDDIE HOWE will take a break from management following his departure from Bournemouth on Saturday. Sportsmail revealed last week that he would make a decision on his future by the end of the weekend following talks with the club. It is understood Bournemouth were willing to let Howe continue to lead them after their return to the Championship, but the 42-year-old felt his reign was nearing its conclusion and that the club would benefit from a fresh start and new direction. His position did not come as a huge shock to officials, and after discussions on Saturday they announced that Howe was leaving the club by mutual consent. The highly-rated coach will now take a break from management following eight years at the helm. Despite Bournemouth’s relegation from the Premier League, the former Burnley boss’s reputation remains intact. However, he is not expected to jump straight back into work and wants to recharge his batteries before considering his next move. Howe (below), who has been tipped as a future England manager, is known to have admirers inside boardrooms across the Premier League. ‘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,’ Howe said in confirming his departure. ‘However, we collectively feel now is the right time for the club to go in a new direction.’ An early contender for the job is former Newcastle, Norwich and Brighton manager Chris Hughton, who was sacked by Brighton in May 2019.