SEASONED manager Micky Adams believes hot prospect Eddie Howe is certain to be linked with a host of Championship clubs in the summer.

Adams tipped his opposite number for a bright future after watching Cherries put a huge dent into Port Vale’s League Two play-off hopes on Saturday.

The Valiants became the latest victims of Cherries’ promotion express when they were ruthlessly put to the sword by Howe’s charges during a 4-0 defeat.

Like Howe, Adams was in his 30s when he won his first promotion as a manager in his first job, guiding Fulham into the third flight in 1997.

And in not dissimilar circumstances to Howe, Adams tasted success in his first full season after saving Fulham from dropping out of the Football League the previous year.

Now 48, Adams also masterminded Brighton’s promotion from the bottom tier in 2001 and took crisis-hit Leicester City into the Premier League two years later.

Adams told the Daily Echo: “The first job is the most important. The failure rate for managers is unbelievable. If you don’t get it right in your first job, you aren’t seen again. This is his first job and he’s got promotion on his CV. He can only go onwards and upwards.

“Bournemouth were terrific against us. They were nice and strong as a unit and looked well organised and well drilled. League One is going to be a tough ask for them but they have got some decent young players and I’m sure Eddie will want to strengthen the squad.”

Adams, who was responsible for unearthing Wayne Bridge when the Manchester City star was playing parks football for Olivers Battery in Winchester, added: “Eddie reminds me of me, although he is better looking than I was! You can tell he is organised and his teams are fit. I’m sure he will get touted for top jobs in the summer. Maybe not the Premier League because managers at our level don’t tend to shoot straight into the top flight. But I can see him being linked with lots of Championship clubs.

“He has done a fantastic job in difficult circumstances. I had a similar scenario at Leicester where we had a transfer embargo when we were promoted to the Premier League. He’s got a close-knit squad, has worked very closely with the same group of players and it has worked well for him. I wish him well.”

Howe, who has two years left to run on his current contract, again fielded numerous questions from the national media regarding his own future following Cherries’ victory over Vale.

He said: “In life, I don’t think you can ever say what is definitely going to happen. I have been in football long to know that anything can happen – I could be given the sack. You just never know but I want to stay. The job has been fantastic for me and I’ve had such a great time. We have had great success and I would like to lead the club into League One.”