Bournemouth have officially begun their search for a new manager and, according to chairman Eddie Mitchell, the League One club have been inundated with calls acquiring about the vacancy. The Cherries parted company with Paul Groves on Wednesday and have already been linked with a number of managers. Harry Redknapp originally emerged as one of the key contenders for the job, however, Mitchell has since ruled out any possibility of the former Cherries boss making a return to the dugout, while Glen Hoddle’s odds have also lengthened.
Steve Cotterill, who made just under 50 appearances for the club, is currently the narrow favourite in the Next Bournemouth Manager Odds. The experienced manager has previously been in charge of the likes of Stoke City, Burnley, Portsmouth and Cheltenham Town but is currently out of work having left Nottingham Forest in July. Other managers in the mix at this early stage include Eddie Howe, Gary Johnson, Ray Wilkins, Steven Fletcher and Sean Dyche.
Championship side Burnley have reacted to reports that Eddie Howe is the south coast club's number one target by stating that they will reject any approach the Cherries make for their manager. It cannot be questioned that Howe was inspirational at Bournemouth, saving the club from relegation in 2009 before leading them to promotion to League One in his first full season in charge. However, even if Bournemouth were successful in making an official approach for Howe, whether he would opt to make the step down to League One is debatable.
First-team coach Dennis Rofe is likely to be in charge for Bournemouth's trip to fellow strugglers Coventry on Saturday. Both sides have won just the one game this season, which means we could be in store for a tight and tense affair. Paddy Power have installed Coventry as the 5/4 favourites to claim their first league win at the Ricoh Arena this season, while the Cherries can be backed at 13/10, while a draw is available at 15/8.
