CHERRIES are continuing negotiations with multiple candidates as their search to find a new manager drags on.

Jonathan Woodgate's short-term contract as head coach is set to expire at the end of June.

The club are now assessing their options as to who could take the club forward with the Championship season set to begin on August 7.

Cherries' campaign ended with play-off defeat at Brentford on May 22, but almost three weeks on, no appointment is imminent.

The Daily Echo understands the club had hoped to have finalised a managerial team by now, with the process taking longer than anticipated.

Managerial vacancies at Premier League clubs Everton and Crystal Palace, as well as recently relegated West Brom, is said to be complicating the process with potential candidates for those roles weighing up their options.

Cherries have strongly been linked with a move for Fulham boss Scott Parker, although, as The Athletic reported yesterday, there has been no official approach to speak with the 40-year-old.

However, Cherries are a long way down the process in the managerial hunt, deep in negotiations with more than one potential candidate for the role, having drawn up a shortlist last week.

The Daily Echo understands no appointment is now expected before the weekend.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent last week, chairman Jeff Mostyn said: “We are currently finalising the recruitment process for a manager and we’re in the closing stages of that.

“The manager appointment, we all know, is fundamental. It’s the key appointment of the summer and it’s the first piece of a puzzle."

As well as Mostyn, chief executive Neill Blake and Richard Hughes have been part of the process with owner Max Demin set to have the final say on any appointment.