MARC Pugh said he would be surprised if former Cherries boss Eddie Howe took a job in the Championship - when he eventually returns to management.

Howe, who guided Cherries from the depths of the League Two to a five-year stay in the Premier League, left the Dorset club by mutual consent in August following relegation from the top flight.

The 42-year-old has not taken another job since his departure from Vitality Stadium.

But Pugh insisted Howe would be missing the “working environment” that comes with professional football.

Asked whether he thought Howe would be out of the game for long, winger Pugh told talkSPORT: “I’d be very surprised if he takes a job in the Championship but if a Premier League club comes along that he really fancies, then he’s got that habit – he loves the pressure situation.

“I think he will miss that working environment, because he just loves what he does.

“I spoke to him a good few weeks ago via text and I think he is enjoying the family time at the moment.

“But if a club comes along that he fancies, I don’t see why he’s not back soon.”

Cherries legend Pugh has himself this week embarked on the next chapter of his career.

Having trained with Jason Tindall’s side to keep himself fit since pre-season, the 34-year-old agreed a short-term contract with League One Shrewsbury Town.

But having seen first-hand the work done by Tindall and his staff, Pugh believes the Dorset club would be right up there in the second tier, come the end of the season.

“It’s been a really good start,” he said when asked about Cherries.

“They probably could have had more points on the board as well.

“I watched the game when they played away at Cardiff. They should have won that game quite comfortably in the end.

“It’s been a solid start. He’s (Tindall) big shoes to fill with Eddie Howe leaving – but he’s done a great job.

“I trained with them for six weeks and the coaching standard from him and his coaching staff – Stephen Purches and all the rest of them – is absolutely superb.

“I don’t see why they can’t push for promotion.”

Pugh has re-joined the Shrews on a short-term deal until January – linking up with former team-mate Charlie Daniels.

And as well as establishing a famous bond on the left side of Cherries’ line-ups over the years, Bacup-born Pugh revealed how the pair are now set to become flatmates.

“Me and Chaz are going to share a flat from Monday, hopefully we can get that sorted,” he added.