SIMON Francis revealed he is weighing up the possibility of returning to Cherries in a different role, after the club decided against offering him an extension to his playing contract.

The end of Francis’s time as a player at Cherries was officially announced last night, almost nine years after his arrival from Charlton Athletic.

The defender, 35, has played a key role in the successes of the club’s recent history, making 324 appearances, helping them to two promotions and captaining the side for four years in the Premier League before his contract expired in July.

“I had a conversation with Jason Tindall on Friday to discuss going forward and he just said, on behalf of the football club there won’t be a playing contract there for me,” Francis told the Daily Echo.

“The first thing he did say was ‘that’s not to say I don’t want you around’, which is reassuring.

“He said in some capacity off the field, I almost need you around and want you involved with the behind the scenes kind of work. And that was much appreciated.

“That was certainly an option and an opportunity for me moving forward. That would depend I think on how fit I feel over the next few weeks doing my rehab and potentially what playing opportunities there are still out there.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not stupid. At 35 coming off the back of a serious knee injury and then a reoccurring knee injury.

“So I don’t think I’ll wait too long before I make my decision, but at the moment I’m just taking a little bit of time to relax and digest things and go from there.”

He added: “I spoke to Eddie (Howe) the week before and he couldn’t give me any clarity on the future.

“So whilst I was optimistic of course because I feel I’ve given a lot to the football club, I am disappointed, that goes without saying, but I understand completely the direction the club are going in.

“If I can play a part off the field then I’d love to do that more than anything.”

After previous spells playing at Bradford City, Sheffield United, Southend United and Charlton, Francis arrived at Cherries initially on loan from the Addicks, before making his move permanent for £25,000 in January 2012.

He has since made the south coast home, and while he has not decided to hang up his boots just yet, the Nottingham-born ace admits it is a possibility given he feels settled in the area.

Francis said: “I have just moved house, so read into that what you will. I won’t be moving house that’s for sure.

“Unless it’s an opportunity that is too good to turn down, playing wise to extend my career one or two more years, to be in talks with the football club about something behind the scenes, that really excites me to be honest.

“I like the media side of things as well, watching games and talking about it, that comes natural to me I feel.

“But whatever it’s going to be, it’s going to have to be local. I don’t want to travel far.

“I’m looking forward to spending more time with the family. It’s a decision I have to make over the next couple of weeks.

“I don’t think I’ll let it go on any longer than that. Of course if something comes up in a playing capacity then great, if not I know that I can retire happy.

“I know that I’ve achieved everything and more than I ever thought I could or would in my footballing career so I’d be happy either way to be honest.”

Asked what sort of level he’d like to be playing at if he were to continue playing, Francis added: “The problem is I do think the current climate in football has changed so much, dramatically really over the past few months.

“I don’t think big playing contracts are there for players necessarily of my age and coming off the back of an injury.

“Whatever comes my way I’ll look at it and assess it and if it suits me then great. If not, then there are other options for me.

“So it’s still early days and the window doesn’t shut until October, but that’s a long way away. There will be things to consider over the next couple of weeks for sure.”