AFC Bournemouth have announced a few changes to the management backroom teams regarding both the first team and the youth squads.
A new role has been created as part of the reshuffle, with the position of AFC Bournemouth loan player manager formed in a bid to keep a closer eye on the players AFC Bournemouth loan out to football league and non-league clubs.
This role includes liaising with the various departments at each player’s loan club, including coaching, medical, sports science and analysis, to ensure a smooth transition and a successful loan spell for the players development.
Moving into this position is former captain and AFC Bournemouth Under 18’s and Under 23’s manager Carl Fletcher.
His role has been filled by the management duo of former players Shaun Cooper and Mark Molesley.
The first team have seen the addition of Hugo Faria as first team coach.
This move is an unusual one for the Cherries as AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is known to keep his first-team coaching staff relatively small and typically, these positions are filled by people who are already well known to either Eddie Howe or assistant Jason Tindall.
Amongst the current staff at AFC Bournemouth, for example, are Steve Fletcher, Neil Moss and Stephen Purches, all former team-mates of both Howe and Tindall with the Cherries.
There is also Simon Weatherstone, who has previously worked with Howe and Tindall at Burnley and prior to that had first met Tindall whilst at non-league side Weymouth.
So the appointment of someone with no obvious previous connections with Howe and Tindall is an intriguing one.
The 35-year-old holds the UEFA A Coaching License and has previously worked with Scottish sides Livingston and Airdrieonians.
Speaking about the appointment of Faria, AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told afcb.co.uk…
“I’m really pleased to have Hugo as part of our coaching team,”
“We wanted to bring someone in with the ability to speak different languages and who has experience of different footballing cultures and styles.
“It is very important that we are always open to new ideas and ways of working, and continually expanding our horizons.
“Hugo brings a positivity and vibrancy to the group and as soon as I met him I knew he would be someone who would really complement our coaching staff here.”
Discussing the changes for the development squad, AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told afcb.co.uk…
“Making use of the loan system has become a key part of developing our players over the last few years.
“Therefore, this is a very important role within the structure of the club and one that we have been looking at for some time.
“It was crucial we got the right person and I am delighted to appoint Carl, who we believe is the perfect fit for the position, given his wealth of knowledge and experience both as a player and a coach.”
Your say…
Neil Dawson wrote…
Great to see us bringing in new ideas too. Alex Ferguson did this continually so he didn’t become stale…hence his longevity and his teams always seeming modern.
Good work Eddie! – Join the conversation, click here.
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