Alan Connell was promoted to the position of manager of the AFC Bournemouth development squad in January 2023.
He stepped up having enjoyed a successful and productive five-and-a-half year spell leading the club’s under-18s.
During his tenure, the youth team finished in the top two of the EFL Youth Alliance every season and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup for only the second time in the club’s history in 2018/19.
They also reached the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup in 2019/20 and 2021/22 and were crowned EFL Youth Alliance champions in the same two seasons.
Connell initially joined the academy staff at Vitality Stadium as a part-time coach in 2015 before being elevated to head coach of the under-18s in July 2017.
He helped nurture a host of players who went on to feature for the first team including the likes of Jaidon Anthony, Gavin Kilkenny, Will Dennis, Sam Sherring, Nnamdi Ofoborh, Brennan Camp, Christian Saydee, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Owen Bevan, Daniel Adu-Adjei and Michael Dacosta Gonzalez.
As a player, Connell won two promotions with the Cherries and also featured in the club’s Greatest Escape in 2008/09, the striker enjoying two successful spells with the club.
Previously on the books at Tottenham, Connell was 19 when he signed from Ipswich in July 2002 and made an immediate impression by scoring seven goals during an eight-game purple patch.
His goals helped pave the way for the Cherries to win promotion via the League Two play-off final in 2003 before Connell left and had spells with Torquay, Hereford and Brentford.
He returned to play a part in the 2008/09 Greatest Escape before scoring the goal which clinched promotion to League One at Burton Albion in April 2010.
Connell netted almost 100 goals in 400 career appearances and won further promotions with Swindon Town and Bradford City.
In 2012/13, Connell helped the Bantams reach the final of the League Cup and played in their League Two play-off win over Northampton at Wembley.
He took up coaching after hanging up his boots following spells in non-league with Havant & Waterlooville and Poole Town.
