Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell tonight effectively all but ruled out the possibility of Eddie Howe returning to the club as manager.

Burnley boss Howe, who led the club to promotion in 2009, was understood to have been Cherries’ preferred choice to replace Paul Groves following his exit on Wednesday.

But although Cherries were rumoured to have been contemplating making an official approach for Howe, Mitchell says the club is unlikely to appoint from a higher league.

Speaking to the Daily Echo – but not specifically about Howe – Mitchell said: “I can’t expect Championship or Premier League managers in jobs to step back to League One. Realistically, the wages paid in the Championship and Premier League are above what we can afford at this moment in time.

“We have always got to look after our money and can’t compete with Championship and Premier League clubs. It might be a different kettle of fish when we get there but we have got to work within a League One budget.”

Although Mitchell politely declined to comment when asked whether Cherries had made official approaches for any managers in employment, Echo sources suggest they may have turned their attentions to either Karl Robinson or Greg Abbott.

MK Dons boss Robinson and Carlisle manager Abbott both have decent track records in League One and preach passing football, something Mitchell knows Cherries supporters will demand of the new man.

However, while the appointment of Robinson would be seen as a positive step, the 34-year-old is likely to have designs on moving into the Championship as opposed to making a sideways switch to a rival club in the same division.

Mitchell confirmed Cherries would be looking to appoint an experienced manager and Abbott, who has worked wonders at Carlisle on a limited budget, would appear to fit the bill.

Former Cherries striker Steve Cotterill, who lives in Christchurch, remains the bookmakers’ favourite, although Mitchell declined to confirm the identity of any target on the club’s wish-list.

Alan Curbishley, Dennis Wise, Paul Ince, Sean Dyche and Lawrie Sanchez have also been linked with the post, while former Cherries star Steve Robinson, who currently works with the Northern Ireland set up, is another name in the frame.

“We need the right person,” said Mitchell. “We need someone who can bring us success. We have got to be sensible with our money so that is a consideration. I am keen to get the right person as quickly as possible.

“Our aim for the season is still winning promotion. It is going to be a harder task than it was at the start of the season but we are still optimistic we can achieve something. If we fall below it this season then we will go again next season. But we are not going to take our focus off so early what we set about achieving this season.”