The candidates to be the next permanent Bournemouth manager - ranked
By Ross Jackson
Bournemouth are in danger of absolutely bottling it.
Having looked like being the only side capable of hanging onto Norwich City's coattails all season, a run of one win in eight games saw the Cherries part company with boss Jason Tindall recently, with Jonathan Woodgate handed the reins on an interim basis.
The former Middlesbrough boss got off to the best possible start with a win over Birmingham in his first game - though in truth it was far from convincing - and there's still plenty of time for them to mount a decent promotion challenge.
The Cherries board have insisted they're keen to appoint a permanent boss sooner rather than later, so let's take a look at those in the running for the top job at the Vitality Stadium.
6. Tony Pulis
Tony Pulis could announce he's suddenly realised he is in fact allergic to both footballs and dugouts, and he'd still be linked to absolutely every single Championship managerial vacancy.
The veteran coach has been out of work since being sacked by Sheffield Wednesday in December, and his last couple of forays into management haven't gone particularly well.
A risky appointment - Bournemouth would do well to look elsewhere.
5. Harry Redknapp
Surely not?
It was recently revealed that interim boss Woodgate has drafted in Harry Redknapp to help out at the club - though what he's actually doing there remains unclear.
Peter Crouch took the opportunity to have a giggle and suggest a potential reunion with his former boss, though surely Redknapp being appointed isn't actually a serious suggestion?
Y'know what, after the year we've just had, we're ruling absolutely nothing out.
4. John Terry
John Terry certainly fits the profile of the kind of boss Bournemouth have tended to favour, and it seems like only a matter of time before he's handed his big break in the managerial game.
The Aston Villa assistant boss has been number two at Villa Park for over two years now, and his nous could be just what Bournemouth need to get their season back on track after some horrific defensive displays.
3. Jonathan Woodgate
It all seems very coincidental, doesn't it?
We know Graeme Jones left the Cherries for Newcastle and so they needed a new coach, but for them to bring in a man who has previously managed in the Championship, you'd be forgiven for thinking Woodgate was given some sort of *nudge nudge, wink wink* when he agreed to take a coaching role at the club.
A few days later and Jason Tindall is sacked - how convenient.
Woodgate has been handed the reins on an interim basis, though you'd imagine he's in with a good shout of being appointed permanent boss if the next few games go well.
He already has one win under his belt, though Bournemouth should be wary of appointing someone whose only previous managerial experience saw him nearly take Middlesbrough into League One.
2. David Wagner
David Wagner had an absolute stinker back in Germany with Bundesliga side Schalke, though his Championship credentials can't be knocked.
His achievement in getting Huddersfield out of England's second tier and actually keeping them in the Premier League in their first season shouldn't be underestimated.
The German boss is understood to be on the Bournemouth hierarchy's radar, and it's not hard to see why: the Cherries' downfall this season has been their defensive record, and Wagner certainly knows what he's doing when it comes to shoring up a leaky defence.
1. Frank Lampard
Uncle 'Arry is leaning out of his Range Rover and bending Bournemouth owner Maxim Demin's ear as we speak.
Frank Lampard's Chelsea dream had turned into something of a nightmare by the end, though that hasn't stopped the former Blues boss being strongly linked with an immediate return to management.
Lampard came within 90 minutes of securing promotion to the Premier League with Derby in 2019, and the opportunity to take over a club still with a great chance of promotion shouldn't be passed on.