In 125 years of history of AFC Bournemouth, the club has welcomed many great managers to its backyard. These Bournemouth managers have had their own parts in making the club great in English football history.
AFC Bournemouth, commonly known as Bournemouth in England, has been coached by 36 different managers to date. Coaches like Eddie Howe and Kevin Bond, riding their glorious stints with the English club, have etched their names on the list of the best Bournemouth managers. While many argue about who is the greatest Bournemouth manager, we bring you the top 10 best Bournemouth managers in the last 20 years.
Detailed List of Bournemouth Managers (Last 20)
| Names of Bournemouth Managers | Years |
| Tony Nelson | 1975 |
| John Benson | 1975-78 |
| Alec Stock | 1979-80 |
| David Webb | 1980-82 |
| Don Megson | 1983 |
| Harry Redknapp | 1983-92 |
| Tony Pulis | 1992-94 |
| John Williams | 1994 |
| Mel Machin | 1994-2000 |
| Sean O’Driscoll | 2000-06 |
| Stuart Murdoch | 2006 |
| Kevin Bond | 2006-08 |
| Jimmy Quinn | 2008 |
| Eddie Howe | 2008-2012, 2012-2020 |
| Lee Bradbury | 2011-12 |
| Paul Groves | 2012 |
| Jason Tindall | 2020-21 |
| Jonathan Woodgate | 2021 |
| Scott Parker | 2021-22 |
| Gary O’Neil | 2022-23 |
List of Last 10 Bournemouth Managers (From 2005 to 2024)
10. Stuart Murdoch
Stuart Murdoch joined AFC Bournemouth as a part-time goalkeeping manager in 2005. Upon seeing his success on the side of the whiteline, he was appointed as the joint caretaker manager with Joe Roach.
Both Murdoch and Roach delivered on some big occasions, but their lack of consistency forced the Cherries to go after a full-time manager. After the arrival of Kevin Bond in 2006, he was once again handed over the part-time goalkeeping manager job until his move to Norwich City in 2008.
Also read: Ranking 10 best Chelsea Managers in the last 20 years
9. Kevin Bond
Kevin Bond came to Bournemouth as a season savior in 2006. When the Cherries’ exit from League One was all but certain, Bond rescued them from that situation and helped in avoiding relegation.
However, initially, he could not make a mark at Dean Court after the Cherries lost five consecutive matches under his stewardship. But, League One survival earned him a new contract at the club. The 2007/08 League One season handed a string of surprises to one of the best Bournemouth managers as his side relegated to League One due to ten-point deduction, leading to his dismissal in 2008. But, Bond’s cameo made him a popular figure in the club.
8. Jimmy Quinn
Jimmy Quinn’s appointment as the Bournemouth manager back in 2008 served as a surprise for the fans and the players alike. After parting ways with Cambridge United by mutual consent, Quinn replaced an outgoing Kevin Bond at Dean Court in September 2008.
But, he could not find any luck on the pitch as the Cherries lost several important matches in League Two. Bournemouth management sacked Quinn just after 121 days of his appointment, courtesy of a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Barnet, who were also fighting relegation at that time.
7. Eddie Howe
Here comes arguably the best manager in Bournemouth history. Eddie Howe, a former Cherry, who played for the English club for three seasons, took charge as their new manager replacing Jimmy In 2008.
His first stint with Bournemouth lasted over three years. In the 2009/10 League Two season, Howe led the Cherries to eight wins in nine games, setting a new club record. He also guided the club to the League One promotion after a 2-0 away victory against Burton Albion in 2010. One year later, he left the Cherries to join Burnley, only to return to Dean Court in 2012.
After rejoining, Howe introduced a fearless approach, energetic tactics and hunger for glory to the Bournemouth squad. Championship promotion in 2013 to first-time Premier League appearance in 2015, these all happened in quick succession under Howe’s keen watch. From 2015 to 2020, Bournemouth has never been relegated from English top flight football, courtesy of their fearless football. However, with their relegation from the Premier League in 2020, Howe also left Bournemouth. The former English defender is considered the greatest Bournemouth manager in the club’s history.
6. Lee Bradbury
Lee Michael Bradbury stayed at Dean Court as the Bournemouth manager for only one year. After Eddie Howe agreed to join Burnley by mutual consent, the Cherries appointed him as caretaker manager. He was given a two-and-a-half-year contract by the English club, but some poor results showed him the exit door quite early.
Bournemouth finished the third division of English football in sixth place and lost the play-off semi-final against Huddersfield Town. Amidst growing unrest amongst the fans, the Cherries sacked him in 2012.
5. Paul Groves
Paul Groves is one of the top 10 managers in Bournemouth history in the last 20 years, given his role in reshaping the club in tough times. Groves joined the club in March, 2012, immediately after Bradbury’s sacking. But, a series of defeats forced the Cherries to part ways with him and send him to his original youth team job in the same year.
4. Jason Tindall
Jason Tindall arrived at AFC Bournemouth to deal with the most difficult times of the club. A recent relegation from Premier League football and the departure of the club’s legendary coach, Eddie Howe, held the time still at Dean Court. Jason Tindall was promoted to the permanent managerial role in 2020.
But, the former assistant of Howe could not live up to the expectations of the club management and failed to deliver big time. After Bournemouth failed to secure an automatic promotion to the English top flight, Tindall was removed from his duty.
3. Jonathan Woodgate
Jonathan Woodgate was the second Bournemouth manager who was in charge for less than 150 days. Following Jason Tindall’s exit as the head coach, the former Middlesbrough coach was roped in by the Cherries. Woodgate’s youthfulness and energy demanded the players to diver more on the pitch. With new tactical changes, Bournemouth became a brute force again in the Championship.
They went on to clinch six wins in seven games and secured a playoff spot in the process. But Woodgate’s efforts were in vain as the Cherries remained in the Championship for another season. But, with his little contribution towards the development of the club, he is regarded as one of the best Bournemouth managers.
2. Scott Parker
Scott Parker took over as the Bournemouth manager in 2021 after Jonathan Woodgate’s thrilling spell came to an end. Parker was on a ruthless winning run with the Cherries in his debut season after winning 13 points from a possible 15 points. At the end of the season, Bournemouth was one of the table toppers in the Championship and earned a promotion back to the Premier League, ending their two-year wait for top division football.
However, a series of defeats in the English top flight including the 4-0 loss to Manchester City, 3-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal and 9-0 hammering against Liverpool, led to Parker’s sacking in 2022.
1. Gary O’Neil
Gary O’Neil began his full-time managerial job at AFC Bournemouth when he was placed in caretaker charge at Dean Court. His debut match on the sidelines produced a goalless draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers. With four wins on the trot, O’Neil received the Premier League Manager of the Month award in October.
Despite facing a lot of challenges, he managed to guide AFC Bournemouth to English top flight survival. The Cherries dismissed him in 2023 even after some great results and performances.
Also read: Ranking of the 10 Best Tottenham Managers in History
FAQs
Who was the previous manager of Bournemouth?
Gary O’Neil was the previous manager of Bournemouth. He managed the English team from 2022 to 2023.
Who replaced Eddie Howe at Bournemouth?
Jason Tindall replaced Eddie Howe at Bournemouth after the latter left the club after spending 12 years with them.
Who was the best manager in Bournemouth’s history?
Eddie Howe is most probably the best manager in Bournemouth’s history, given the success he has brought in for the club. He was the one who took the Cherries to Premier League football for the first time in their history.