GOALKEEPER Asmir Begovic outlined his huge “respect” for Jonathan Woodgate – and would back him to carry on what he had started at Cherries.

The Bosnian international was part of Woodgate’s group to suffer play-off semi-final agony at Brentford on Saturday.

Holding a 1-0 lead going into the second leg at Brentford Community Stadium, the Dorset club suffered a 3-1 defeat to be edged out 3-2 on aggregate.

Woodgate admitted he did not know whether that was to be his last game in charge of Cherries, having signed a deal to become head coach until the end of the season back in February.

But keeper Begovic, who played alongside Woodgate during his time at Stoke City, said he would be happy to see him continue the project at Vitality Stadium.

Asked whether he would back Woodgate to carry on in his role at Cherries, Begovic told the Daily Echo: “Yeah, you know, I’d definitely back him. I think what we’ve achieved under him has been really good overall.

“We’ve gotten better and better. I think the message he wants to bring across takes a little bit of time, of course, to take on board.

“But I have a huge amount of respect for Jonathan Woodgate.

“Great guy, great manager, really good staff. I would love to give this thing another really good go.”

The Daily Echo understands Cherries owner Maxim Demin is set for talks with senior club officials about future strategies at Vitality Stadium later this week.

Asked whether a quick decision was needed to be made regarding the manager, Begovic replied: “I think there’s going to be a bit of a reaction to this (play-off defeat).

“It’s difficult to take for everyone and it’s going to take a little bit of time to dust everything down and let’s see which way we are going to go.”

Begovic himself has one more year left on his Cherries deal, having signed for the club from Chelsea for £10million back in 2017.

Asked about his own future, the 33-year-old replied: “I’ve got a year left. I enjoy my time here. I really enjoy working with everyone.

“The people at the club, the goalkeeping group, so yeah I’d love to be back and give this thing another go and get this club where it belongs.

“But, you know, football as we all know and the last couple of years I’ve been through, you just never know what’s round the corner.

“There is always going to be change. Out of contract and loan players, so, I’m sure there will be change.

“The manager situation nobody knows. There will be some interest in our players, that goes without saying. All we can do is regroup, learn from it and bounce back next year.”