Eddie Howe: ‘Rightly hailed for his outstanding work, but not a flawless hero’

Either way, it was an indicator Howe’s stock was maybe not as high as his admirers thought, and perhaps he would need to work successfully at another club before landing what might be regarded as a “big” job.

While not sharing the devotion to Howe displayed by many others, it must be said he deserves huge credit for his work in transforming Bournemouth into a club that sat relatively comfortably in the Premier League before this final flawed season.

A club’s fans are often the best measure of a manager’s reputation and his departure was greeted with an outpouring of thanks from those who had lived the dream with Howe on the south coast.

In their eyes he leaves a hero, a man with a prime place in Bournemouth’s history.

What must also not be ignored is that his last season was a truly dreadful one, raising further questions about his approach and work in the transfer market, where expensive failures cost the Cherries dear.

He built the club from the bottom up but this does mean he can escape scrutiny for a season that was, by any measure, a serious failure.

Howe made some excellent signings – such as Callum Wilson, Joshua King and David Brooks – who will either serve Bournemouth outstandingly well in the Championship or, far more likely, leave to reap a huge profit, as will Nathan Ake when he completes a £41m move to Manchester City.

Brooks, in particular, was badly missed because of injuries this season.

But, on the other side, Liverpool were prime financial beneficiaries of an uncertain touch in the transfer market.

Bournemouth spent a combined £34m to lure Dominic Solanke and Jordon Ibe from Anfield. Solanke, at £19m, has scored three goals in 32 league games. Ibe started just two league games all season.

And Howe failed to cure serious defensive problems which raised the red flag in 2018-19, when Bournemouth conceded 70 league goals in finishing 14th. That was the highest outside the relegated clubs and even Cardiff, who went down, conceded fewer.

In losing 22 of 38 games this season, Bournemouth conceded 65 goals, even with a defender in Ake who Manchester City feel can improve their rearguard.

Flaws were not cured and it proved fatal to their Premier League status.

Howe is rightly hailed for his outstanding work at Bournemouth to get them into the Premier League but he cannot be seriously portrayed as a flawless hero who finally failed to overcome unbeatable odds.

So where next for him?

He has enjoyed huge levels of control at Bournemouth, which he earned and justified by his successes, but may find clubs higher up the ladder will not give him that

Aston Villa have just appointed Johan Lange as sporting director so Dean Smith looks safe after avoiding relegation. Moyes has fully earned an extended stay at West Ham.

There has been speculation about Roy Hodgson’s future at Crystal Palace but he has done a solid job. Sean Dyche has been linked with that post after his magnificent work in guiding Burnley to 10th this season but Hodgson is still very much in position.

Howe is hardly likely to want to drop back into the Championship.

There will be plenty of clubs willing to take him, but would he want them?

The big jobs his admirers felt he was ideal for went elsewhere. He may have to wait and recharge his batteries.