Cherries boss Howe leaves club following relegation
EDDIE Howe has left his role as Bournemouth manager by mutual consent, the Sky Bet Championship club have announced.
The 42-year-old was unable to keep the Cherries in the Premier League, with relegation confirmed on the final day despite a 3-1 victory at Everton.
Howe departs Bournemouth after more than 450 games in charge across two spells at the Vitality Stadium and admitted the time was right for a change in an open letter to supporters.
It read: “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 that now is the right time for the club to have a change.”
Howe made over 300 appearances as a player for Bournemouth across two spells before he was forced to retire in 2007.
Cherries chief executive Blake added: “Myself, our owner Maxim Demin and the board’s gratitude and appreciation for Eddie’s achievements cannot and will never be underestimated.
“A decision like this cannot be taken lightly, which is why this has been discussed together at length over the past few days. It is even harder given our close personal friendship.
“We wish Eddie well for whatever the future holds and hope he enjoys some much-deserved and wellearned time with his family.”