AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall has finalised the details of his coaching staff.
Former Cherries first team coach and defender Stephen Purches has been promoted to become the club’s new assistant manager.
And Tindall will be joined by a new face – ex-Belgium, Everton, West Bromwich Albion, Swansea City and Wigan Athletic assistant Graeme Jones, who most recently managed Luton Town in the Championship.
Simon Weatherstone and Steve Fletcher continue in their respective roles of first team coach and assistant first team coach, while Neil Moss will continue as the club’s goalkeeping coach, assisted by Anthony White.
For Purches, who earned his UEFA Pro Licence coaching qualification two years ago, it is a further sign of his impressive development at Vitality Stadium.
The 40-year-old made 320 appearances for the Cherries across two spells, after signing from West Ham United in the summer of 2000.
His highlights included scoring in the Division Three play-off final victory over Lincoln City at the Millennium Stadium in 2003.
Moving into coaching after injury forced the full-back into retirement at the end of the 2013/14 season, Purches stayed with the club and worked as a development coach with the under-21s squad before being promoted to the role of first-team coach in 2017.
New arrival Jones has a wealth of experience, both as a player and a coach.
The Gateshead-born 50-year-old was a prolific marksman, scoring more than 100 goals during a career which saw him play for the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Wigan, St. Johnstone and Southend.
Jones cut his teeth in coaching during a brief spell as assistant manager at Hamilton before beginning a long and successful working relationship with his former Wigan team-mate Roberto Martinez.
They worked together at Swansea, Wigan and Everton before joining forces with Belgium and guiding the national team to third place at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.
Jones also had a brief spell as assistant head coach to Darren Moore at West Bromwich Albion and was manager at Championship club Luton Town until April.
AFC Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall said: “I’m delighted to confirm my coaching staff.
“Stephen is someone I have known for a very long time and he fully deserves this opportunity to step up to become our assistant manager.
“He is an outstanding coach with a great attention to detail, and since being involved in the first team set-up he has really developed and proven himself.
“I am also delighted to bring Graeme to the club. His pedigree is unquestionable and that experience and expertise can only stand us in good stead going forward.
“Graeme likes to play the game in the right way and has fresh ideas which we are looking forward to implementing on the training ground.”
