EDDIE Howe says he remains “fully immersed” in management as he prepares to take charge for the 500th time tomorrow.

Since taking over Cherries initially on a caretaker basis in December 2008, Howe has now presided over 499 matches, all for the Dorset club aside from 87 during a 21-month spell at Burnley.

And as he prepares to lead his side out against Fulham in the Premier League at Vitality Stadium (3pm), Howe says he still retains the same passion for the job as when he first took charge ahead of the defeat at Darlington in League Two.

The Cherries boss told the Daily Echo: “I still feel I’m learning all the time.

“I never want to stop having that feeling. I think the day that I do stop having the desire to learn and improve and really push myself is probably the day that I’m not in management anymore.

“Football has a way of teaching you things all the time. The game changes at such a pace that you have to be adaptable and go with modern trends.

“So I’m not sitting here and saying I’m going to do another 500 games.

“You never know what the future holds for you in football, but certainly I’m going to try and continue to grow and improve myself.”

He added: “Overall, when you look at the 500 games as a whole, it’s been a hugely enjoyable process.

“I’d never say that when I’m in it, but looking back at it I think it’s been hugely enjoyable, successful and amazing what you can achieve with a very, very good team.

“Not just on the pitch, but the team around you and that teamwork for me has always been of huge importance.”

Discussing his brief spell in charge of Oldham Athletic, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes recently described the weekday afternoons following training sessions as the most boring part of the job.

But Howe says boredom is not something he tends to struggle with.

“I don’t have any problem with filling my afternoons,” said the Cherries manager.

“For me the job is all-consuming.

“I don’t think I could ever turn around and say any aspect of management is boring. It’s probably the opposite for me.

“I find it enthralling, addictive and very, very time-consuming, so I’m fully immersed in the job.”

Fulham, Howe’s opponents for his 500th match, come to the south coast still seeking their first away win of the season.

After a string of nine straight defeats, the Cottagers, who have already been relegated from the Premier League, finally got their first win under caretaker boss Scott Parker by beating Everton 2-0 last weekend.

And Howe thinks Parker has done a good job since replacing Claudio Ranieri in February.

He said: “I think he’s has been hugely impressive in the role so far.

“It’s incredibly difficult for him with the fixture list that he came into when taking the job and of course the situation that the club were in.

“But I think he’s led the team very well.

“He’s shown huge dignity in difficult moments and I think he’s improving the team in lots of different ways as the season’s gone on, so I think that’s the biggest compliment I can give him.”