FORMER Cherries boss Scott Parker says he has been “very impressed” by his old club under Andoni Iraola this season, believing they have “recruited very, very well”.

Parker managed 55 games in charge of Cherries, helping the club clinch promotion from the Championship in the 2021-22 season, before his acrimonious departure months later.

The former England international, who most recently managed Club Brugge but is currently out of work, was let go by Cherries after publicly calling for more investment into the team after an embarrassing 9-0 defeat at Liverpool.

Since, the club have been taken over by American billionaire Bill Foley and spent close to £200million on new players, under Gary O’Neil and latterly Iraola.

Parker, speaking in his role as pundit on Sky Sports at the weekend, was asked for his thoughts on Cherries this season.

He said: “I’ve been very impressed, to be honest. The start is key, it was tricky, no wins in nine. At that moment in time it can become a little bit more emotional in terms of where you are going in that season.

“The new manager coming in has set his way, that takes time. There is no magic wand and that was probably the case.

“It was a different style of play from the season before under Gary O’Neil.

“But I think it’s fair to say you’re seeing the rewards of that in terms of the way they play.

“They’ve picked up some very good results along the way, an exciting team, a young team.

“I think it’s fair to say they’ve recruited very, very well.

“It’s pleasing to see, in terms of a dynamic team that are moving in the right direction.”

Asked if he feels there has been enough investment since his departure, having said the team previously were “under-equipped” to compete in the Premier League, Parker added: “There’s certainly no more (needed), I don’t think - £200million is a huge sum of money to invest, certainly in a club like Bournemouth.

“They’ve invested it well. They’ve bought some good players, good profile in terms of what they’ve done.

“It’s given them a chance to survive in the Premier League, and we’re talking about £200m they’ve spent.

“The manager has got a really clear identity, in terms of the way he wants to play and very different to what the team were used to last year under Gary.

“It has taken time for the players. They’ve seen the other side of that now really.

“It’s money they’ve invested which has given them a chance to stay in this division.”

Despite being winless in seven league games, Cherries sit 14th in the top-flight table, eight points clear of the relegation zone.