“HE WHO is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”

Whether or not Adam Murry was familiar with legendary boxer Muhammad Ali’s famous quote is unclear, but he certainly found the inspiration from somewhere.

The story of how Eddie Howe came to be offered the job as Cherries caretaker boss whilst at a New Year’s Eve party in 2008 is a well told one.

The club was in dire straits, battling financial struggles which had seen them start the League Two campaign on minus 17 points and end the calendar year seven points from safety, a run which saw Jimmy Quinn sacked as manager.

Murry was the man responsible for dismissing Quinn and handing the reins to 31-year-old rookie Howe, and although things did not go to plan immediately, with two defeats from his first two games in charge, leaving them 10 points adrift, the decision to give him the job on a permanent basis was made.

The rest, as they say, is history. More than 450 games in charge, three promotions and five seasons in the Premier League later, the Howe era came to an end on Saturday when he departed Cherries by mutual consent, bringing to a close a decade-long thrill ride.

“It was a massive risk for both of us really,” Murry told the Daily Echo, looking back at the decision to appoint Howe all those years ago.

“We both discussed it, took the decision and went forward.

“But I could see the quality of the man and that’s never been challenged any time through the whole period in his management career. He’s always remained that man and that’s the quality that I think you’ve got to look up to for sure.”

Murry added: “I’d like to think that I was a good judge of character. I think it’s one of the qualities that I saw in him initially, that he’s kept right the way through.

“So it was a good decision and the right decision and he made good on that decision.”

In an open letter published on the Cherries official website on Saturday, Howe said he would now “be taking some time away during the summer break to enjoy some quality time with my family”.

Despite no longer working at the club, Murry remains in contact with Howe and having seen close-hand exactly how much he put into his job as Cherries boss, believes the 42-year-old has made a wise decision to take a breather.

“For Eddie to go through all the ups and downs, and it’s not as if he came into a stable club at the beginning, it was a consistent battle initially,” explained Murry.

“He was always consistently fighting against the odds and being one of the smallest clubs anyway, you’ve always got that challenge of trying to compete with the big boys and that’s going to take its toll. Not only on yourself but also your family life and in some cases, to remain efficient you’ve got to take some time out. I don’t think he’s had time out in an awful long time and it wasn’t one of the easiest challenges to get involved with in the first place.

“It was the challenge of challenges and what he’s done is incredible. I know he made an awful lot of sacrifices in regards to his personal life to be able to achieve that, which is why he’s probably got the send-off that he’s got. He’s done such a great job. I don’t think anybody can ever say anything different.”

He continued: “I think sometimes we take our eye off what’s really, really important. I think one thing that COVID-19 kind of taught us, is our values at home. Sometimes we forget about that – we’re concentrated tunnel-vision on the job we’ve got to do and you forget about everybody else and everything around you.

“He’s still a young man. It’s important that he gets to see his sons grow up, gets to see his sons play football games and that’s the most important thing in my opinion and he’s certainly entitled to take a bit of time out.

“Everybody needs time out. Regardless of whether the club stayed up or got relegated, I think he’s making important decisions from a personal aspect as well.

“So I think he’s made the right decision in respect of you can’t keep going and not take a break.”

Also in his open letter, Howe said: “To Adam Murry, thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to manage Bournemouth as a 31-year-old. I will always remember the belief and support you showed me.”

Asked if it was nice to see his name included, Murry said: “Absolutely, I appreciate that.

“But he’s always been very grounded, he’s always kept very humble and that’s one of the qualities you can see in Eddie right the way through. It’s not gone to his head.

“That’s very few and far between in this day and age. He’s always remained that.”

He added: “It was extremely challenging in the beginning with what was going on at the club and trying to stabilise it. It was one of the hardest battles I’ve ever got involved with.

“At that time as well it was a very difficult period because we were just coming into a recession as well. We both took the plunge and it came off successful. I was just glad to be a part of it.

“It was a challenge beyond a challenge, but it paid off and it worked well. Eddie has set AFC Bournemouth new levels now, and without doubt, a legacy that won’t ever be forgotten.”

Murry concluded: “Wherever Eddie Howe goes, they can’t get much better, and I wish him and his family the very best for the future.”