MANAGER Eddie Howe believes the future of Cherries’ rising stars is in capable hands under some of the club’s favourite sons.

Howe recently put the finishing touches to a reshuffle of his backroom staff – with Carl Fletcher and Alan Connell both promoted.

Fletcher, who skippered Cherries to Division Three play-off glory in 2003, has been appointed manager of the club’s under-21s.

He will be assisted by Mark Molesley – a hero of Cherries’ Greatest Escape in 2009 – who will combine the role with managing non-league Weymouth.

Molesley had held the post on an interim basis after Stephen Purches had been elevated by Howe in February to work with the first-team squad.

Fletcher’s position as boss of the club’s under-18s has been filled by Connell, who was rewarded by Howe after impressing while coaching the younger age groups.

Connell was a hugely popular figure among Cherries supporters during two playing spells, the second of which saw him cap promotion to League One by netting in a 2-0 win at Burton in 2010.

Both Molesley and Connell took up their first coaching positions with Cherries in August 2015, while Fletcher returned to the club as youth team manager in January 2014.

Connell will be assisted by Graham Mills, the club’s lead youth development phase coach, while Joe Roach will continue to head up the Academy having previously announced he would be leaving.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Cherries boss Howe said: “When Stephen Purches moved up to coach with the first team, we were well aware we had taken someone from the under-21s who had done a superb job so we had big boots to fill.

“It is a key position at the club and we wanted to make sure we had the continuity that Stephen had brought us. The natural progression was to call up Carl who had done great work with the under-18s.

“He has been excellent in control of the youth team. He has improved as a coach and I see a very bright future for him. This is a good time for him to progress his career.

“It will be nice for Mark to get his teeth stuck into his first management job at Weymouth. He will improve as a coach while assisting Carl with the under-21s.

“I have seen Alan work in the Academy and he watches our sessions regularly. He has really put in the hours to learn about coaching and our style of play, although he already had a good insight into what we ask of our players having been one himself.

“Having that experience we feel is invaluable knowledge that can then be passed to the next generation of Bournemouth players.

“I believe it will prove to be another good appointment. Alan can run his own team and really develop his coaching style. It is great to see him take his first steps into full-time coaching."