CHERRIES favourite Junior Stanislas has confirmed his retirement from professional football, sharing that he hopes to enter the world of management.

The winger departed Cherries after nine seasons this summer at the expiry of his contract, having made 179 appearances in red and black.

Subsequently the 33-year-old has decided to call time on a playing career that took in spells at West Ham United, Southend United, Burnley, and Cherries.

Discussing his retirement on TalkSPORT, Stanislas shared: “It's been a little while coming.

“I probably made the decision back end of last year.

“I think a good few injuries over the last few years and they take their toll. So I think a new chapter going forward, and excited to get going with that really.”

Stanislas goes down in Cherries folklore for being just one of two players to have featured in the club’s two promotions to the Premier League, alongside right-back Adam Smith.

Winning the Championship in 2015 and earning automatic promotion in 2022 rank highly in Stanislas’s achievements.

“I think those promotions, probably,” the former England under-21 international replied when asked for his career highlights.

“I think growing up through the academy at West Ham, I would always say a highlight was my making my debut, something you work hard for your entire life.

“Those promotions, you and your teammates set out on a journey beginning of the season. And then when you achieve the goal at the end, I think it's always a positive journey.”

Stanislas was then quizzed on his next steps, leading him to reveal that he had already started his coaching journey by gaining his badges whilst winding down his playing career.

“That's the aim. That's the dream,” responded Stanislas when asked if he wanted to go into management.

“Again, obviously starting right back at the beginning, but one I'm looking forward to really.

“Last few years, been doing all my badges, done my B licence, done my A licence the last couple of years.

“So just looking forward to getting some work done on the grass and then hopefully in a few years, like you say, be in the dugout.

“That's the main aim.”