Eleven months ago AFC Bournemouth announced that former captain Simon Francis had been released from the club.
Francis joined the club in November 2011 and went on to make 324 appearances in all competitions, playing under former managers Lee Bradbury, Paul Groves and Eddie Howe.
As a right-back, he won promotion from League One in 2013 and won the Championship in 2015. Rising through three tiers of English football with just one club.
During the 2015/16 season, he began to adapt his game to a more central role and also took the captaincy over from Tommy Elphick.
The 35-year-old was out-of-contract at Dean Court following the end of the prolonged 2019/20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic and had also struggled to return to fitness following an injury.
Prior to the announcement of his release, Francis had been offered a role as part of then AFC Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall’s backroom team, however, at the time it was reported that Francis was still keeping his options open and was considering whether or not the time was right to retire from professional football.
As time went on Simon Francis became a regular on Sky Sports coverage of the Championship as a studio guest and Francis also took on a role at AFC Bournemouth in the recruitment department of the club.
The Cherries have now announced that Francis role is now becoming more senior, moving into his tenth year at Dean Court as assistant first-team technical director under AFC Bournemouth first-team technical director Richard Hughes.
Hughes told afcb.co.uk…
“Having shared a dressing room with Simon as AFC Bournemouth players, I know first hand that his knowledge of the game is exceptional.
“So when the opportunity presented itself to bring someone into this role, he was an obvious choice, and I’m delighted to have him in such a key position.
“During the past year Simon has spent time within the recruitment department, seeing how it operates, learning its functions and adding real value to what we do…”
Following his appointment, Francis said…
“AFC Bournemouth has been a huge part in my life over the past decade, While I may not be playing any more, being given the opportunity to continue to help the club off the pitch is something that really excites me.
“Recruitment is something I have always kept a close eye on, as it’s such an important and intriguing aspect of the modern game.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with Richard to find the best players to not only improve the team but also fit the football club.”
Your say…
Def_II_Royalz wrote…
I think this is bloody great. Franno has always come across as intelligent and measured in his approach and I felt he was destined for some kind of future in the game beyond his playing days. Great to have him around and shows at least Parker is welcome to working with a club intent in retaining some of its identity. – Join the conversation, click here.
