Two weeks on... the search for a new Cherries boss continues

Tindall, who took over as Eddie Howe’s successor in August of last year, was sacked following a 2-1 home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday on February 2, the club’s fourth Championship loss on the spin.

There was just a week between Howe’s departure last year and Tindall’s appointment as boss, stepping up from his previous position as assistant, but the board are taking a little bit longer to assess their options this time around.

The Daily Echo understands the club are continuing to interview potential candidates this week, having narrowed down an extensive list of applications to a more manageable shortlist.

However, caretaker boss Jonathan Woodgate is set to remain in charge for Wednesday night’s home meeting against Rotherham United, having won two and drawn one of his three matches at the helm so far.

It is understood the board are happy with the job Woodgate has done to date, buying them more time to find the right person. Sources suggest they are keen to learn from the appointment process of last summer, ensuring extensive due diligence is carried out on a variety of external candidates for the role.

Caretaker boss Jonathan Woodgate

Since leaving the club, Tindall has conducted a range of interviews in the media.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the 43-year-old said he was “surprised” to be told the news of his departure over the phone.

And while the manner of his sacking has not been disputed, the Daily Echo understands this was sparked by COVID-19 protocols, meaning Cherries chief executive Neill Blake had to leave Vitality Stadium immediately after the final whistle against Sheffield Wednesday.

This then led to Blake attempting to contact Tindall straightaway to arrange to meet him in person, according to sources close to the club. It is claimed by the time Tindall called Blake, it was deemed too late in the day to arrange a meeting.

With plans needing to be put in place for Woodgate to take temporary charge, this led to Tindall being relieved of his duties during that call just before midnight.

Speaking to the Daily Mail since his departure, Tindall claims he was contacted by the board in January following back-to-back defeats against Derby and Luton to inform him they would seek an alternative should results not improve.

“To be honest, harsh reality struck at that point,” said Tindall in that interview.

“I thought to myself ‘is there going to be a phone call every time there’s a bump in the road?’

“I’d pretty much never been out of the top four at that point. I felt then that my time might be coming to an end.”

Cherries defeated Crawley in the FA Cup in Tindall’s next game in charge, before an abject 3-1 reverse at Reading.

Jack Wilshere

Before Tindall’s final game in charge, against Sheffield Wednesday, the transfer window had also closed a matter of hours earlier.

Across both transfer windows under Tindall’s tenure following relegation from the Premier League, Cherries lost key figures in Aaron Ramsdale, Nathan Ake, Callum Wilson and Joshua King.

In came Cameron Carter-Vickers and Rodrigo Riquelme on loan over the summer before the January additions of Jack Wilshere on a free transfer, Ben Pearson for a minimal fee and Shane Long on loan, players it is understood Tindall had been keen to sign.

Speaking to the Mail, Tindall said: “I knew the situation when I took the job, but when you recoup almost £80million in player sales, I imagine every manager up and down the country would anticipate a little bit of that to start to build their own team.

“I’m sure that would have helped.”

The Daily Echo understands Cherries did table bids for five different players across both transfer windows, as well as turning down approaches for a host of their own players.

Over the summer, Cherries had a bid in excess of £5m rejected by Preston North End for defender Ben Davies.

The club also offered £2m for Ipswich striker Kayden Jackson, which was knocked back. Cherries also made a loan offer to try and lure Matt Ritchie back to the south coast, but Newcastle turned down their approach.

The Daily Echo understands Cherries then returned in January with a bid again for Davies, who subsequently joined Liverpool. They also went back in for Ritchie, trying to agree an initial loan deal with an obligation to pay around £6.5million in future instalments. This was rejected by Newcastle.

Cherries did agree deals with two clubs over the transfer window, but saw the players in question opt for moves elsewhere. The Daily Echo understands an offer of around £750,000 was accepted by Charlton Athletic for midfielder Alfie Doughty, who decided to join Stoke City instead.

Conor Hourihane was also targeted, with Cherries and Aston Villa agreeing a loan deal, but Hourihane chose to join Swansea City after speaking with both clubs.

Following relegation from the Premier League last summer, owner Max Demin released a statement expressing his desire to return to the top flight “as soon as possible”.

While some players were sold, the Daily Echo understands Cherries rejected approaches for a host of first-team stars over the summer including David Brooks, Jefferson Lerma, Arnaut Danjuma, Philip Billing, Steve Cook and Diego Rico.

The club’s ambition was to get promoted again at the first time of asking, with the feeling that the squad in place was capable of doing just that.

When Tindall was sacked, Cherries sat sixth in the Championship table, eight points behind an automatic promotion spot having played an extra game.

No announcement on a new boss is imminent, but whoever does take the reins will have a big ask to claw back a top-two spot, with Cherries now 11 points adrift with 17 games to play.

When contacted by the Daily Echo about information in the above report, the club declined to comment.