Jonathan Woodgate will take charge of Bournemouth until the end of the season after the Championship club failed to prise Thierry Henry from Montréal.
Woodgate was put in caretaker charge following the sacking of Jason Tindall but was not formally interviewed. Henry, David Wagner and Patrick Vieira made Bournemouth’s final shortlist of candidates but Woodgate has sufficiently impressed the club’s hierarchy to continue in the role on a short-term basis.
Bournemouth had maintained they were searching for an external candidate and this week sought permission from Montréal of Major League Soccer to speak with Henry regarding the vacancy. But the club have decided against pursuing the former Arsenal striker and now concluded their recruitment process. In a statement, Bournemouth said they have been impressed with Woodgate’s professionalism and leadership since taking interim charge this month.
“As we head into a crucial part of the season, stability and clarity is of paramount importance for everyone at the club,” the club’s chief executive, Neill Blakem, said. “With that in mind, and having concluded an extensive search for a new manager, we believe Jonathan is the best candidate to lead the team for the final 15 games of the season.”
The 41-year-old has taken charge of five matches, recording three wins, a draw and a defeat, which came against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. They are sixth in the Championship, eight points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
The former Middlesbrough manager, who was appointed first-team coach 48 hours before Tindall was sacked, has also guided Bournemouth to an FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton. Tindall was given a three-year contract last summer but departed after four successive defeats.
Bournemouth are admirers of Scott Parker and previously considered the Fulham manager a possible successor to Eddie Howe last summer. Whether the club revisit Parker as an option at the end of the season will likely hinge on whether Fulham ensure Premier League safety and if Bournemouth achieve promotion this season. Cardiff, who are unbeaten in seven matches, visit the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday knowing victory could see them leapfrog Bournemouth.
