HARRY Redknapp hailed the “amazing” job done by Eddie Howe at Cherries – and believes the club could return to the top flight.

Former Cherries boss Redknapp, who regularly watches Howe’s men, was speaking after Dorset club’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed at Everton on Sunday.

Despite winning 3-1 at Goodison, the visitors were sent down after Aston Villa recorded a 1-1 draw with West Ham.

The relegation was Howe’s first after guiding Cherries from the depths of League Two to England’s elite level.

Asked on BBC Breakfast whether the club should stick with Howe, former Tottenham, Portsmouth and West Ham boss Redknapp said: “Absolutely.

“What he’s done there is way beyond belief. He’s done such an amazing job.

“People forget that this club, in 100 years, has never been out of Division Two or Three.

“Championship football was probably punching way above their weight – let alone getting into the Premier League and that’s where Eddie has taken them.

“He’s taken them through the divisions, took them to the Premier League, five years in the Premier League and never really been in relegation trouble before this year.

“The job he’s done has been one of the most incredible stories in football.”

He added: “I was watching it and feeling just what them boys must have been going through. It must have been a horrendous 90 minutes to stand on that touchline hearing other results coming through.

“I was in the situation a couple of years back when I had a little spell at Birmingham. We had to go and win at Bristol City and you’re hearing the other teams are all winning – it must have been the same.

“Bournemouth did their job. They went to Everton and won 3-1, played fantastic.

“But unfortunately, the Villa result, a point there just managed to put them down.”

Redknapp believes Cherries’ current group have enough to return to the top level.

“For Bournemouth, they will go down but I think they’ll regroup and I think Eddie’s the man to bring them back up again,” he said.

“They’ve got a group there. They can keep the nucleus of that team together – there’s no reason they shouldn’t be challenging for promotion next year again.”