When it comes to Premier League Managers, the big names are almost always seasoned ex-footballers who bring years of experience both on and off the field. It is rare that bigger clubs will opt for someone fresh into management, preferring someone that has seen it all. Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe has bucked this trend by doing things a little differently however and is now one of the hottest managerial prospects in the country. Having guided to Bournemouth to a club record 9th placed finish he is now being linked with a move away from the South Coast. It is certain that their odds of survival for a third season will be slashed if Howe does decide that he is ready for a new challenge.

He has pretty much been a Bournemouth man since birth, beginning his youth career with the Cherries before short spells away at Portsmouth (Harry Redknapp’s first signing) and Swindon. He returned to the South coast in 2005 and finished his career as a defender after a fan-led fundraiser was arranged to get the £21,000 transfer fee required (Bournemouth’s finances were in a very poor state at the time). After retirement through injury in 2007, Howe moved on to manage the reserve team and was soon casting his eye on a managerial career.

He was given the Bournemouth hot seat at a difficult time. Then manager Jimmy Quinn stepped down with the Cherries 17 points afloat and Howe had the seemingly impossible task of avoiding relegation as caretaker manager. Despite losing his first 2 fixtures (both away games) he was hired permanently and went on to set a club record, with 8 wins in the opening 9 games of the season. This form saw Bournemouth return to League One after two years in the fourth tier of English football.

Offers came from Peterborough United who wanted Howe to help them establish themselves in the Championship, but it seemed that Howe was determined to stay with the club that had given him his break. It finally took a big offer from then Championship side Burnley to finally drag him away from the South Coast. Despite 8th and 13th place finishes in his two seasons in the North West, he was tempted back to Bournemouth in 2012 and took them into the Championship with a second place finish the following season.

Two years in the second tier saw Bournemouth’s squad develop massively, with Howe drafting in quality players without having to spend big transfer fees. In 2015, Bournemouth finished off a fairytale season by winning the Championship despite it not being clear cut that they would be guaranteed promotion, just days after Howe was named manager of the decade at the Football League Awards.

With a ground that holds less than 12,000 people and a record that included zero top flight games, many thought that Bournemouth would be nailed on for relegation and it seemed that way throughout the first half of the season. However, Bournemouth reach a turning point and managed back to wins over Chelsea and Man United, finishing 16th in the league and ensuring another season of top flight football. This year’s campaign was also astonishing, with Howe directing his side to a 9th place finish, equal on points with local rivals Southampton.

There is now more interest in Howe’s signature than ever. The biggest piece of speculation however comes from Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger teetering on the edge of either leaving or being forced out of the club. It has been made clear that Howe would be a prime candidate and it could be difficult for him to turn down such a golden opportunity.

It seems that Bournemouth owe a lot to Howe and the question remains if another manager could maintain the level of success they have already experienced.