CHERRIES legend Andrew Surman has returned to the club, taking on a coaching role in the academy.

Surman, 36, retired from professional football in 2021 following a spell at Milton Keynes Dons.

That came on the back of a memorable seven-year stay at Cherries, which ended in 2020, following relegation from the Premier League.

Surman, who had two spells with Cherries, made 226 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals and played a key role in the club clinching promotion from the Championship in the 2014-15 campaign.

And he is now back at Cherries, taking on a role of assistant boss of the under-18s.

It comes following a shake-up of the roles in Cherries’ academy. With Alan Connell stepping up to lead the development squad, following Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick taking on roles in the first team, the under-18s needed a new boss.

Dan Carroll, a UEFA A licensed coach, has taken that role on an interim basis, stepping up from his position with the club’s under-16s. There he will be supported by former Cherries midfielder Surman.

Cherries academy boss Sam Gisborne told the club’s website: “Dan has worked right the way through our academy, from our under-9s to most recently being with our under-16s.

“Dan’s work ethic and commitment to the academy has been superb and it makes complete sense to give him an opportunity to work with the as under-18s until the end of the season.

“It’s great to have Andrew on board, too. He’s new to coaching but this role will be perfect for him as he will work very closely with people who have been with the academy a long time in Bruce Suraci, Ben Bradley and Dawn Roach.”

Carroll and Surman got off to a winning start in their new roles as Cherries under-18s cruised to a 5-2 win at Newport County.

Daniel Adu-Adjei struck a hat-trick, with Lewis Brown and Baylin Johnson also on target, as Cherries keep their EFL Youth Alliance League title hopes alive.

Elsewhere, Tom Prodomo, who worked with ex-Cherries midfielder Mark Molesley at Weymouth, Southend United and Aldershot, has been installed as a youth development coach, alongside Warren Cummings.

Gisborne added: "Warren is a great asset to our coaching team and the club, he will continue to focus on the under-13 and under-14s.

"Tom will predominantly be working with the under-15s and under-16s groups.

“Tom will be a great addition to the under-15s and 16s, as he prepares them for being scholars with the football club.”