CHERRIES manager Eddie Howe expressed his delight after confirming the appointment of Simon Weatherstone as first-team coach.

The 33-year-old, who had been working with the development squad at Howe’s former club Burnley, has replaced Chris Hargreaves in the role.

Popular coach Hargreaves departed Dean Court earlier this month after accepting the manager’s job at League Two strugglers Torquay United.

Weatherstone played under Cherries assistant boss Jason Tindall at Weymouth and also enjoyed spells with Oxford United, Boston United, Yeovil and Stevenage.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “We are really pleased to bring in Simon. It is really important that he is somebody we know.

“Jason and I are very hands-on coaches and we do the majority of the coaching together, so we wanted someone we knew could fit into our routines and how we work.

“We have worked with Simon before and he has got good enthusiasm and good experience from his time with Burnley. We are delighted to bring him to the club.”

Weatherstone’s arrival, which had been predicted by the Daily Echo, forms part of a backroom reshuffle at Dean Court.

Ex-Cherries favourites Joe Roach and Carl Fletcher were this week appointed as successors to Shaun Brooks and Paul Groves in the club’s youth set-up.