AFC Bournemouth have opted to release AFC Bournemouth vice-captain Andrew Surman.
Surman was out-of-contract this summer, having previously signed COVID-19 extension under former manager Eddie Howe, however, it would appear that new AFC Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall has opted to not offer him a new contract for the 2020/21 Championship campaign.
Andrew Surman’s comments to BBC Radio Solent, have however thrown a bit of mystery into whose decision it actually was, as Surman hasn’t spoken to Jason Tindall at all over the past couple of weeks and instead was informed by AFC Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes.
🗣️ ''I've probably spoken to everybody apart from the manager''
Midfielder Andrew Surman says he's not yet heard from boss Jason Tindall despite being released by the club #afcb 🍒 pic.twitter.com/wfDxbNs13W
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) August 17, 2020
Regardless of whoever made the decision the fact that new AFC Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall hasn’t been able to find the time to speak to Andrew Surman following the news of his release from the club sounds very disappointing.
The 33-year-olds association with AFC Bournemouth began 15 years ago when he first joined the club on loan from Southampton.
The South African born, former Southampton youth team graduate made 28 appearances, scoring 6 goals, playing in every game during that first loan spell.
He went on to leave Southampton in 2009, signing for Wolves for £1.2million. He however only made 9 appearances before leaving for Norwich twelve months later.
Following his move to Carrow Road he made 56 appearances, including 29 in the Premier League, but, was found surplus to requirements and re-joined AFC Bournemouth on another loan deal in July 2013, following AFC Bournemouth’s promotion from League One.
Surman made 39 appearances in all competitions during that loan spell and he would go on to make the move permanent, in September 2014 for a fee in the region of £500,000.
Surman ended the 2014/15 season with 41 Championship appearances and a Championship winners medal as AFC Bournemouth won promotion to the Premier League.
Over the course of the following 5 years Surman made 108 Premier League appearances, not missing a single minute of the Cherries maiden season in the top flight of English football.
In total over his three spells with the club, Surman made 226 appearances in all competitions scoring 11 goals.
It’s been an absolute privilege to play with franno and Surs! Two club legends that gave everything for the club. I wish them all the best in the future and they will be missed a lot on and off the pitch! 🍒 pic.twitter.com/jvpKhxpMug
— Steve Cook (@SteveCook28) August 16, 2020
Should Surman have been offered a new deal?
Yes
No
Don't know
Your say…
AFCBade wrote…
I think Surman was underrated. So often took possession in tight situations to help distribution of cook and Elphick, recycling the ball to keep possession. People moaned he played the ball square a lot but he was able to spot movement off the ball to get the ball up quickly. Often it was lack of movement that meant sideways was the best outlet.
SteveJonesLegend
I thought Surman might have been offered a small extension, as at the front end of the season he still looked like he had what it took to play a more mature role in the centre of the park, but when you look at what we currently have for central midfielders, you could probably argue, releasing him was the right decision…
Another great player for us and hopefully he’ll get another club to see out his career with…
SteveJonesLegend added…
Strange turn of events, but looks like it wasn’t even Tindall’s decision anyhow if it was a couple of weeks ago that Surman was told by Hughes… which in itself seems weird…!!!!
Regardless, considering JT has been in and around the club for what seems like ever, you’d think he would at least make time to have a small chat with Surman… – Join the conversation, click here.
They said they would sit down with the out of contract players last week. Now we learn this decision was taken two weeks ago… possibly even before Eddie’s announced his leaving. If what A.S. as now said is true… Jason Tindall is not only guilty of utterly disgraceful behaviour to established long time servants of the club… he now has a public record of telling lies to the supporters of this club. If that is the case no players will want to perform for an established and proven liar…. and this club now looks to be on the fast track to oblivion.