Redknapp may return to his coaching roots.....but only temporarily

Redknapp both played for the Cherries and got his managerial start there as well.

Via ESPN-Harry Redknapp could be back in the dugout, at least temporarily, after League One club AFC Bournemouth axed manager Paul Groves.

Redknapp has been acting as a football adviser at the South Coast club, where he began his managerial career, since last month. He was sacked by Tottenham during the summer.

The Cherries announced that Groves and his assistant, Shaun Brooks, had been dismissed after a poor start to the season left the club 20th in the table with one win to their name.

The pair were only appointed on a permanent basis in May, and Bournemouth said the backroom staff would remain unchanged with an announcement on who would take temporary charge of the first team to be made in due course.

Chairman Eddie Mitchell told Bournemouth's official website: "I would urge our supporters to recognise the time and effort that Paul and Shaun invested in the first team and their unwavering determination to produce an attractive brand of football.

"However, I believe that luck has not been on their side during their short period at the helm. As we know, football is a results business, but most people will be unaware of the hard work and dedication that they put in behind the scenes to help this club move forward. We wish them well in the future."

Redknapp does not have an official title at Bournemouth's Goldsands Stadium, but when the club appointed him they said he would offer his advice and expertise to all areas of the set-up.

Speaking early last month, Mitchell explained: "I met Harry for a chat and he offered to come in on a voluntary basis. He still has a passion for the club and for football, and he's got too much to offer for us to let him slip through our fingers.

"It's been in my mind for quite some time to get him involved, and the timing seems to be perfect for us to tap into his knowledge. I have said in the past that we have one of the country's best managers on our doorstep."


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