Bournemouth

Jordan Clark and Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth have appointed former player Matt Ritchie as technical director to replace Simon Francis.

The 36-year-old joins after an agreement was reached with Reading to bring him back to the south coast, following Francis's expected departure to Saudi Arabia.

It was considered important for the Cherries to have a former player working alongside experienced sporting director Tiago Pinto, helping the club remain close to its players and maintain an understanding of its values.

His responsibilities will include recruitment, player pathways, squad planning and overall football strategy.

Ritchie made 142 appearances for Bournemouth, scoring 31 goals. He has also been part of Champions League squads at other clubs and has represented Scotland at international level.

Meanwhile, Pinto has a pre-existing relationship with Ritchie, who has been working towards his coaching A Licence in the club's academy.

Speaking to afcb.co.uk on the appointment, the club's president of football operations Tiago Pinto shared his delight: "Matt's connection with AFC Bournemouth, combined with his experience throughout the game, makes him an excellent addition to the technical team and someone I'm looking forward to working with closely.

"As we continue to grow as a club, it is important that we maintain the DNA, values and identity that have brought us success. Matt will play an important role in helping us do that while also driving the club forward."

Ritchie also commented: "AFC Bournemouth has always meant a huge amount to me, so to return in this capacity is incredibly special.

"I've spent a long time preparing for what's next for me after playing, learning from experienced people across the game and developing my understanding of the technical and strategic side of football. Now I've met Marco, I'm even more excited about what is to come and look forward to working together.

"It's a fantastic opportunity and can't wait to begin working with the staff, players and ownership group as we continue building for the future. I'd like to emphasise my thanks to Bill [Foley], Ryan [Caswell] and Tiago [Pinto] for the opportunity and belief they've shown in me."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on what one thing needs to change at Bournemouth before the new campaign and why.

Here are some of your comments:

Terry: Season tickets - not everyone has mobile phones for digital tickets. I love Evanilson but we need someone to get 15-20 a season as a striker. Maybe under Rose, he will.

Paul: We don't want to lose any of our best players this summer and we need to increase the number of players in our squad to cope with playing in Europe.

Don: Sell Enes Unal and buy a big physical striker - Mateta style - in his place.

Chris: A new centre-back to replace Senesi, potentially some more full-back cover. Up front it would be good to get another striker to replace Unal and a back-up keeper. But most of all retain our key three - Scott, Kroupi and Rayan.

Marty: Stop selling players and start signing some that can play immediately.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal trio Declan Rice, Gabriel and David Raya have been nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association men's player of the year award alongside Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.

Midfielder Rice, defender Gabriel and goalkeeper Raya were all key players as Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

Striker Haaland netted 27 goals to end as the division's leading scorer, while Cherki enjoyed a successful first season in the Premier League.

Fernandes won the Football Writers' Association's men's footballer of the year award for the 2025-26 campaign.

The winners will be honoured on Tuesday, 25 August at the 53rd annual PFA Awards Ceremony in Manchester.

Cherki has also been nominated for the PFA young player of the year award, alongside City team-mate and England international Nico O'Reilly, who was named as the Premier League's young player of the season last week.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, another England international, is also among the nominees after playing a key role in Michael Carrick's side.

Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi is another on the shortlist after he scored 13 goals in 33 matches in his debut Premier League campaign.

Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha, who have represented England at under-19 level, complete the list of nominees thanks to their performances for Arsenal and Liverpool respectively.

Arsenal face competition from Paris St-Germain in trying to sign French forward Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth. (Independent), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

With all 48 World Cup squads now confirmed, we look at how they shape up and compare with each other leading into the tournament.

Which clubs have the most players?

Looking just at the 20 clubs that made up the 2025-26 Premier League, only this season's top three have more players at the World Cup than Conference League winners Crystal Palace (12).

Including players out on loan over the season, Sunderland remarkably have as many representatives on the global stage as Chelsea and Liverpool (11), showing just how globe-trotting their recruitment was following promotion last summer.

The majority of Brentford, Everton and Leeds' squads can put their feet up and recharge their batteries for next season, with those clubs sending just four players each.

• Get more key stats on participation

Image source, Getty Images

New Bournemouth boss Marco Rose says he is looking forward to testing himself against the best teams in the world and believes the Cherries have a "beautiful opportunity" to showcase themselves on the European stage next season.

Speaking to the club's YouTube channel, it is Rose's first interview since being announced as Bournemouth boss in April, following Andoni Iraola's exit after a three-year spell at the Vitality Stadium.

"First of all, I want to say congratulations to everyone that is involved or connected with the club," he said. "It was an amazing, outstanding, special, incredible, historic season with a historic outcome.

"Everyone here did a great job - the employees, the lads, the staff, the fans of course, and now I'm looking forward to working together and to accomplish next season maybe other big things."

This will be Rose's first job in English football, with all his previous experience coming in Germany and Austria.

The German coach spoke highly of the English top-flight, saying: "The Premier League is the best league in the world. That's what I've heard, that's what I've seen and that's what I feel. So for me, it's really special to come here to join the Premier League with a top team and the Premier League is the most competitive league.

"The Premier League is the league with the highest individual quality, with the highest intensity, and I'm really looking forward to measure [myself] with the best teams in the world."

One of the main tasks on Rose's agenda this summer will be getting his side in the best shape possible to prepare for a season of balancing domestic football with European competition for the first time in the club's history.

On prospect of this, the new head coach said: "That's our challenge - to play Premier League, the toughest competition in the world, and European football. If you have to bring it together, it's really hard and really tough. We have to be smart.

"It's an exciting journey and I think it's a really big and beautiful opportunity for us to show our club, to show Bournemouth in Europe, but on the other side, it's a tough challenge."

Former Bournemouth midfielder and development team coach Mark Moseley believes it would be a "huge blow" if Andoni Iraola takes assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper with him to Liverpool.

Both coaches have played a key role in the Cherries' progress in recent times, with the club achieving their best-ever top-flight finish this season and will play Europa League football next term.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Moseley said: "It would be a huge blow for Bournemouth. Iraola is the front of it all, but there's so many good people behind it.

"I know Tommy and Coops well and what fantastic characters they are, but also what fantastic coaches they are. They've had a very, very big impact in the success at Bournemouth and I would think that Iraola would want to keep that together. They're trusted members, have proved themselves time and time again this season and what valuable roles they have.

"If they do go, and it's all speculation at the moment, what I can say is the way Bournemouth have recruited, look at some of the players that have left this football club this year and the show has managed to go on due to their due diligence. They're always a step ahead and ready for this sort of thing.

"A new manager is coming in, he'll have his ideas and everything has been working very well, so you'd like to think he'd like to have some continuity and try and refine and enhance, or make his own twist on it. But you don't want too many changes. If Iraola does take his trusted staff with him, there will be a big hole to fill."

Listen to the full interview by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds

Find more Bournemouth content here

The 2026-27 Premier League season will be here before we know it, with the first matches taking place on Saturday, 22 August.

We have a simple question for you - what one thing needs to change at your club before the new campaign and why?

It can be a player, manager, ticketing issue, owner, or wider change.

Let us know in detail here

Jordan Clark
BBC Radio Solent

Image source, Getty Images

AFC Bournemouth are in the process of appealing after its academy failed to achieve Category One status.

An independent audit of the club's facilities was carried out by the Professional Game Academy Audit Company (PGAAC) earlier this year.

Category One is the highest status awarded to a club within the professional game under the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).

The EPPP is a long-term youth development strategy that was introduced in 2012 as a result of a consultation between the Premier League, the FA and the EFL.

Bournemouth were awarded Category Two status in 2023 and submitted an application for a change in categorisation last year.

BBC Radio Solent understands Bournemouth's application was rejected due to an issue with the number of pitches at its new state-of-the-art Performance Centre.

The Cherries opened the £32m training facility at Canford Magna in April 2025.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent at the launch event in April 2025, project manager Darren Booth said: "There's another six academy pitches to be done. That's all part of the next phase that the club will need to look at and appoint someone else to do."

Amongst the benefits of Category One status are access to more funding and a place in the elite Premier League 2 academy competition.

Former Bournemouth midfielder Joe Partington says assistant coaches Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper will be "sorely missed", if they follow Andoni Iraola out of the Vitality Stadium doors this summer.

Iraola, who left the Cherries at the end of the season, has already reached a verbal agreement to become Liverpool's next head coach following the sacking of Arne Slot.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Partington said: "Losing Andoni Iraola is obviously enormous enough, but when you add in Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper - and the great work they have done over the past few years - it is going to be a big hit for Bournemouth.

"Those two guys know the club inside out. They were part of completely different eras at the club as players. The influence the pair of them have on the team is enormous.

"I don't think either of them really knew what was going on at the end of the season. I'm sure their futures were as up in the air as Andoni Iraola's.

"What they achieved this year, as coaches, was probably beyond their wildest dreams when they started working at the club.

"Shaun Cooper was fast-tracked within the academy quite quickly because people were impressed with him as soon as he started coaching. He was actually someone I leaned on for advice when I first started my career. He was the guy I wanted to play like and be like, so I went out of my way to get advice from him.

"Tommy Elphick then joined the club and essentially became the spearhead for the success that it had going from League One to the Premier League. He has played that leader role since the day he arrived, even leading the team huddles before kick-off.

"The pair of them will be sorely missed, but I can see the pull of having an impact on one of the world's biggest clubs in Liverpool. I would say it is too big of an opportunity to turn down for them."

Listen to the full conversation above or listen on BBC Sounds

Juventus are looking at a move for Bournemouth and Netherlands forward Justin Kluivert as an alternative to Real Madrid's 26-year-old Morocco international Brahim Diaz. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chelsea have rejected multiple approaches for defender Josh Acheampong.

The 20-year-old is a graduate of the academy at Stamford Bridge and as reported elsewhere has been given 'untouchable' status in terms of his future.

It remains unclear whether Acheampong, whose Chelsea contract expires in 2029, is looking for a move away from the club.

However, Arsenal, Newcastle and Crystal Palace are known to be monitoring the situation while Bournemouth also retain an interest in Acheampong from last summer.

Bournemouth assistant manager Tommy Elphick's decision to turn down the opportunity to become Bristol City boss was "bold and brave", says former Cherries forward Matt Tubbs.

The 38-year-old, who played for Bournemouth between 2012 and 2016, rejected what would have been his first role in senior management to assess his long-term options following the departure of Andoni Iraola.

"I can see both sides of it," former team-mate Tubbs told BBC Radio Solent. "If he has aspirations of going into management, then Bristol City would have been an ideal first club.

"For him to turn that down is a bold and brave decision, but he is in a very strong position because his options are unbelievable.

"Turning down Bristol City is a big statement, but if he goes wherever Iraola goes then you can see why, and if he stays at Bournemouth it is a win-win for him.

"I'm sure he loves the club as much as anyone. He was captain of the club, so I'm sure all of the players are very fond of him as well. He would also get the guarantee of European football next season.

"If you are Tommy Elphick right now, you have one of the strongest hands going.

"We all looked up to him as players all them years ago, and I'm sure the current players - the older heads as well as the younger heads - look up to him because of what he has done at the football club [as a player and as a coach]."

Hit play above to hear the full conversation or listen on BBC Sounds here

Subscribe to Bournemouth's BBC Sounds feed

We asked for your views on who Bournemouth should sign from the relegated Premier League sides Wolves,Burnley and West Ham United.

Here are some of your suggestions:

Simon: Jarrod Bowen would be my knee-jerk response. With Adrien Truffert on the left, the West Ham winger would be a great addition down the right, but sadly, he's not much younger than our beloved Adam Smith. The trouble is that we rarely, if ever, sign from another Premier League side…it's just not our style. Can't see us poaching anyone from these teams. Up the Cherries!

Jamie: Axel Disasi and Aaron Wan-Bissaka would be very handy experience to have in the defensive ranks. Obviously Bowen but he'll go for big money. If Enes Unal goes, then Zian Flemming would also be a good impact sub up top.

Ryan: Wan-Bissaka from West Ham, who has European experience that Bournemouth will need. Unsure if Alex Jimenez has a future at Bournemouth so a new right-back may be a good way to go.

Tim: Mateus Mane looks like a gem!

Tony: Bournemouth seem to have a very successful method of recruitment. After rebuilding their entire defence and losing key players, they have finished the season in Europe and sixth. Why would you buy players from clubs without the same success? Relegated players probably expect a Premier League wage beyond their proven abilities.

Chris: Bowen would be an incredible signing, but I expect he'll go to a club in the top six. Oh wait! That's us!

Josh: Mane seems an obvious choice given our recruitment strategy, particularly if Eli Junior Kroupi ends up leaving it would be good to have someone to understudy Justin Kluivert who I'm sure would step straight into the role with no issues. I don't see any of the other players who are good enough for us. Maybe we could bring in Max Weiss as a back-up, as for some reason I don't think we will trigger Christos Mandas's £16m buyout clause.

Dave: Bowen from West Ham would be my choice.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The most significant moment of the season was...

The 1-0 win at Fulham in May. In front of a huge contingent of away fans at Craven Cottage, the Cherries battled for a crucial win which put them within touching distance of a debut European campaign.

The season has been a success because...

By any metric, this has been Bournemouth's most successful season of all time. For the second successive campaign, they have reached the highest league position in their history, with a record number of top-flight points.

The unsung hero of the season is...

Marcus Tavernier. While the headlines went to teenagers Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan, and the awards were shared between Alex Scott and Marcos Senesi, Tavernier has been a vital cog. Something of a "Swiss army knife" midfielder, Tavernier can play anywhere in Andoni Iraola's system, often switching between roles as the game develops, and weighs in with his share of goals.

If there's a player or staff member with more to do in future it is…

Bafode Diakite was signed for £34m, but lost his place to James Hill in mid-season and watched the ex-Fleetwood man play a starring role. With Marcos Senesi departing, there is a centre-back place up for grabs, and Diakite has the chance to fill it.

The major club issue or talking point lurking is...

Incoming manager Marco Rose likes his teams to play in a similar high-energy style to Iraola but will he and the squad cope with the extra workload of Europe?

The reason for hope going forward is...

Bournemouth are going places, on and off the field. As well as a European tour to look forward to, work is under way to expand Vitality Stadium which should ultimately increase the capacity to about 20,000 by the start of 2027-28.

Chelsea and Manchester United are among the clubs considering a move for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott in the summer transfer window. (Teamtalk), external

Meanwhile, Celtic are keen to hold talks over taking Julian Araujo for another loan spell from Bournemouth but face competition from Liga MX clubs Monterrey and Cruz Azul for the right-back. (Heraldo, via Daily Record), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Tommy Elphick rejected a move to Bristol City as he assesses his long-term future options.

The Bournemouth assistant was offered the job at the Robins, which would have been his first role in senior management.

But with the situation at the Cherries fluid, with Marco Rose replacing Andoni Iraola, sources have told BBC Sport Elphick is carefully considering his next move.

The 38-year-old has held positive talks with Rose, with the former RB Leipzig manager taking over on a three-year deal.

If the offer from Bristol City had come a few weeks later, with a clearer picture at Bournemouth, Elphick may have accepted the role.

There were positive talks with the Robins, with Elphick impressed with its personnel and the club's plans.

They finished 12th in the Championship this season and are looking for a permanent manager after ex-England boss Roy Hodgson was appointed on an interim basis in March following the dismissal of Gerhard Struber.

It was a reluctant decision but one he took with a potential career crossroads in front of him.

He helped Iraola guide the Cherries into Europe for the first time this season, finishing sixth in the Premier League to seal a Europa League place.

Iraola stepped down after three years in charge, with talks over a new deal unsuccessful despite the Cherries' desire to keep him.

Former defender Elphick made 145 appearances for Bournemouth, having signed from Brighton in 2012, to help them rise from League One to the Premier League.

He left in 2016 to join Aston Villa and also played for Reading, Hull City and Huddersfield Town.

The curtain has officially come down on the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Players will depart and squads will be strengthened when the summer transfer window opens on Monday, 15 June.

With Wolves, Burnley and West Ham United all heading down to the Championship - would you be keen to poach any of their players?

Who would be good value for money and why? Which name would be best to avoid?

Let us know your thoughts here

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth will try to keep their three most valuable players – Eli Junior Kroupi, Rayan and Alex Scott – this summer.

The Cherries will present a strong case that European football only enhances the platform on offer at Vitality Stadium, while significant player sales in recent seasons mean there is no financial pressure to sell.

Each situation differs slightly.

Scott, 23, is under contract until 2028, but Bournemouth accept he is deserving of a new deal.

Rayan, meanwhile, only joined in January and is not seeking a move this summer. The 19-year-old forward arrived from Vasco da Gama and is willing to wait at least a year until his release clause becomes active.

Kroupi is expected to be the most difficult to keep. The 19-year-old scored 13 goals this season, attracting interest from several Champions League clubs.

Rayan joined for £30m, Kroupi in January 2025 from Lorient for £13m and Scott in the summer of 2023 from Bristol City for £25m.

There is an acceptance that if all three continue on their current trajectories they will eventually leave for bigger clubs in the years to come.

Bournemouth are anticipating a relatively quiet summer, with a squad already equipped for European competition.

Their top priority is a replacement for outgoing defender Marcos Senesi. Also on the agenda is a striker to replace Enes Unal - who is available for sale - and a number-two goalkeeper capable of providing competition for Djordje Petrovic.

Image source, Getty Images

Statisticians Opta have conjured up their Premier League team of the season based on data collected throughout the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

Bournemouth left-back Adrien Truffert has made the cut after playing a key role in a historic Cherries season that ended with Europa League qualification - the first time the club will play in Europe in its history.

On Truffert, Opta said: The sight of Truffert flying down the left-hand side of Bournemouth's flank is well known to Cherries fans and it is borne out in the data - the Frenchman was the only player to make more than 50 overlapping runs in the Premier League in 2025-26. It wasn't just on the outside either - he ranked in the top-five for underlapping runs, too.

Truffert was one of only three players to win possession in the defensive third 100+ times (105), while he was top for both interceptions (48) and for tackles (103) among full-backs.

He also made the most progressive ball carries of any full-back (279) and progressed the ball close to two miles upfield with ball carries, the second-most of any full-back.

He was the only Bournemouth outfield player to start all 38 matches of their historic Premier League campaign.

• Read about the rest of Opta's picks here - and cross-reference it with Troy Deeney's team of the season here