MANAGER Eddie Howe is understood to have reaffirmed his allegiance to Cherries in the wake of intensifying speculation.

A flurry of reports have touted the Vitality Stadium boss as a top target for south-coast rivals Southampton as they seek to replace Everton-bound gaffer Ronald Koeman.

There has still yet to be any official announcement on Koeman’s switch but Howe, alongside Frank de Boer and Manuel Pellegrini, continues to be linked.

And although the Saints post has yet to become vacant, sources close to Howe say he is keen to dismiss any talk of his departure as he plans to lead Cherries in their second Premier League campaign.

Howe’s reputation quickly grew throughout the Dorset club’s first season among the elite with talk of interest from top-flight rivals instigated once safety had been all but assured by the March international break.

But Howe, who signed a contract extension in October, has consistently reiterated his commitment to Cherries and with his relationship with owner Maxim Demin as strong as ever, has no intention of jumping ship.

Ironically, he was linked to the Everton job before Roberto Martinez was sacked with Howe citing his stable partnership with the Russian benefactor when nailing his colours to the mast.

Fielding a question on where he saw his future back in April, Howe said: “Hopefully, in work first and foremost.

“You have got to win games to stay in work and I am fully committed to this job here. I don’t think I have to reaffirm my commitment here every week which seems to be a regular pattern.”

Bookmakers gave the column inches credibility with the shortest odds offered on the top three candidates and speculation was fuelled by Howe’s link to the Saints six years ago.

Southampton’s executive director Les Reed was in his post when Howe turned down the chance to replace Alan Pardew after a job interview in 2010. Both clubs were in League One.

Howe’s remarkable managerial career began seven-and-a-half years ago when he was handed the Cherries post aged just 31.

He prevented them from the dropping out of the Football League in 2009 and led them to runners-up position in League Two just 12 months later.

And after returning from Burnley when Cherries were struggling near the foot of League One in October 2012, he took them back to the second tier just six months later.

Howe then presided over the club’s highest finishing position – 10th – before guiding them to the Championship title and a first season in England’s top tier.

As one of the smallest clubs to compete in the Premier League since its inception, Cherries were among the favourites to go down but despite a host of injuries and misfortune in the first three months, preserved their status.