Francis to leave Bournemouthpublished at 16:22 BST
16:22 BST
Image source, Getty Images
AFC Bournemouth's first-team technical director Simon Francis will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 41-year-old is set to move to a new job overseas.
Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are understood to be amongst the teams interested in appointing the former Cherries defender.
Francis' departure will bring an end to his 15-year association with Bournemouth.
The former defender first joined the club on loan from Charlton in 2011 before making the move permanent in January 2012.
Francis went on to make more than 300 appearances for the club and was a key member of Eddie Howe's squad that gained promotion from League One to the Premier League.
Following his retirement from playing in 2020, Francis joined the recruitment set-up at Vitality Stadium, working under his former team mate Richard Hughes as assistant technical director.
Francis was then promoted to first-team technical director in 2024 when Hughes left for Liverpool.
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Iraola on Kluivert, Europe chase and Crystal Palacepublished at 15:52 BST
15:52 BST
Marissa Thomas BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Iraola gave an injury update on his squad as midfielder Justin Kluivert is back with the team after five months out: "It's very positive news for us, Justin is a very important player in our team. He has been training this week, still not fully but at a very good level. Probably Sunday arrives too early for him but I think he will help us in the last games of the season and he will have quality minutes. His knee is responding really well after training."
Iraola added: "The only other one out is Lewis Cook. I hope next week he starts training with us but everyone else is recovered and we hope now with Justin and Lewis everyone is in a good place to help because we will need everything. I hope everyone pushes."
On whether he can take Bournemouth into Europe for the first time in 127 years: "The opportunity is there. I think we are in a very good place but we still need a lot of points. The situation is very tight. If we want to get Europe, we have to win games. We have four chances like the others starting from Sunday against Palace. We don't have an easy game so we will have to earn everything but I think we have shown that we want to take this opportunity and we arrive to this decisive moment in a good place."
On how many points he thinks they need for Europe: "We really don't know. You need a good amount of points in these four games because there are a lot of teams in the fight. Everyone is fighting and has difficult games. We need to win at least two games, maybe three."
On Crystal Palace: "It is very difficult to score against Palace, they defend so well, they are so organised and it is a very well coached team. They know what they are doing and it is difficult to create clear chances against them. Every detail is going to be very important. Normally they start games very well. We also have to start strong."
On fan reaction since he announced his departure: "I have always felt very valued and supported and my interactions are always very positive. I am very thankful because of this."
Four games left - Europe the potential prizepublished at 11:49 BST 30 April
11:49 BST 30 April
Mark Mitchener BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth fans had been slightly waiting on tenterhooks for the scheduling of their final home game to be finalised, before it was announced on Tuesday.
As soon as Manchester City booked their place in the FA Cup final, their match with the Cherries needed to be rearranged and, although it may feel slightly odd to have a final home game of the season as a midweek encounter, it will still leave four clear days between that match on Tuesday 19 May and the season-ending trip to Nottingham Forest.
Indeed, Bournemouth approached the end of the league season in the unusual position whereby four of their last five opponents were involved in three separate cup competitions, with three of those four games requiring a new date.
The events of the dying minutes of their last game, against Leeds, still rankle with supporters, after Evanilson's goal was ruled out when his shoulder was ruled to be offside, before Leeds' equaliser was given despite having an offside player standing in front of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
It was a sentiment shared by several Cherries players, judging by their postings on social media after the game.
But every Premier League team will probably have a list of perceived VAR injustices and it will be important for players and fans to put that game behind them as they head into the final four matches, still unbeaten in a league-high 14 games.
Crystal Palace (home), Fulham (away), Manchester City (home) and Nottingham Forest (away). A potential 12 points up for grabs. Europe the potential prize.
Who can honestly say they would not have settled for this position heading into May, after seeing three-quarters of the defence sold last summer and their best attacker in January?
'Iraola will finally get what he deserves' - fans hopeful for Europepublished at 13:26 BST 29 April
13:26 BST 29 April
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Bournemouth's chances of qualifying for European football this season, with just four fixtures left for Andoni Iraola's side to stake their claim.
Here are some of your thoughts:
Katie: Four cup finals to go! It's ours to lose. The results went our way again over the weekend, so if we keep performing there's no reason why not. What an end to Iraola's reign it would be!
Ross: I'm confident we will qualify for Europe, especially since we should've got three points against Leeds United the other night. We should take three points against Crystal Palace (H), Fulham (A) and Nottingham Forest (A). Man City at home is a difficult one, but they have played lots of games so we could maybe take one or all three points. We are in a good position and we should be able to finish eighth at worst, which could still become a European spot. I reckon we could win the Europa Conference League with Marco Rose's European experience and history. Iraola will finally get what he deserves, European football!
Malcolm: Why not be positive? The opportunity is there and Iraola will only focus on the next game, as will the players. A win against Crystal Palace is the next chance to edge towards a piece of history. In Andoni we trust.
Kirsi: Bournemouth have somewhat favourable remaining fixtures. We are also carrying good form in to May. However, our frequent draws have caused some problems. Bournemouth should still be able to snag a spot though, through the potential extra spots, which is lucky.
Terry: It is very possible. We need to keep winning and hope teams around us struggle. I believe in the team and coaches to do it for Iraola and us older supporters. But, if not, we will still be there supporting.
Bournemouth's race for Europe a 'remarkable story' published at 09:36 BST 28 April
09:36 BST 28 April
Sam Davis Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Compared to 2009, AFC Bournemouth is very much a very different football club.
Here in 2026, Cherries fans are currently hopeful of claiming a potential European spot in the Premier League come the end of the current season, yet nearly two decades ago it was very different.
Indeed, many of those hardened supporters will be reminiscing today, remembering a gruelling time that felt equally special for totally contrasting reasons.
It was 17 years ago where a 2-1 home win over Grimsby Town salvaged Bournemouth's football league status against all odds - it was simply the greatest of escapes.
The nervous energy was high, but so was the hope surrounding Dean Court before kick off, as the Cherries could secure their safety and keep their place in the football league despite a 17-point deduction.
Coming from behind in the game itself, it was a fairy-tale ending as club legend Steve Fletcher smashed home for the victory, and ultimately survival.
It was an incredible performance from a team full of character, hunger and drive. Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall lead the side like true leaders, sending their lads out for battle - and each and every one of the players and staff will be remembered with great fondness forevermore by all Cherries fans.
Fast forward to now, 17 years on, and the south coast side are in a strong position among the elite fighting for a European spot.
Regardless of whether they achieve it or not, it has been a remarkable story, and it gives hope to clubs who may well be in a difficult place. It can change for the better - and at some speed too - because if this Bournemouth rise was a film, surely it'd be deemed too far-fetched?
But it isn't, the club went from surviving to thriving in 17 roller-coaster years.
Gossip: Cherries consider Burrell movepublished at 08:12 BST 24 April
08:12 BST 24 April
Bournemouth, Wolves and Sunderland are among the clubs interested in signing 25-year-old Queens Park Rangers and Jamaica striker Rumarn Burrell. (Football Insider)
'Not a difficult decision' to overturn Leeds' equaliser - Iraolapublished at 11:24 BST 23 April
11:24 BST 23 April
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was adamant that Leeds United's late equaliser should not have stood and it was not a "difficult decision" to overturn the goal for offside.
Sean Longstaff scored in stoppage time to halt the Cherries' momentum and take away their chance of moving into the top six. The decision to grant the goal after Joel Piroe was standing in an offside position was contentious, with both Iraola and Bournemouth attacker David Brooks saying it should not have stood.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent after the game, Iraola said: "The keeper watches Longstaff and Piroe's body positions himself on the line of the vision of the ball. He would have saved the goal if that player is not there.
"Here is not subjective. Everyone in every room thinks it makes it more difficult for Petrovic to save that one. Yes, it is offside, and I suppose it's more difficult to call it life.
"All the bench, we were really convinced it was going to be offside. The VAR is watching. It is not even a super difficult decision. They want to make it look like it's a difficult decision. It's not a difficult decision. It affects the keeper, it's offside. It is what it is, and the ball goes in between the view."
Brooks also disputed the decision to allow the equaliser after the game: "We don't usually get highlights straight away but all of us have gone straight in and had a look and the keeper has had to jump and jump over him to see where the ball is. I don't understand why, whether he's going to save it or not is irrelevant. He can't see where the ball is. He can't even make a genuine attempt to even try and save it.
"There's a lot of goals that get disallowed over the course of the season for that and I'm not sure why it's at our ground where we don't get the decision. I think there were a lot of decisions that were on the fence and didn't go our way on any of them."
Chris: Once again we dominated a match, had numerous chances, got no luck from the officials and threw away two points! We should have won by three or four goals. We just cannot kill off teams, it is so frustrating. We should be comfortably in the European places this season but now it will be a scrap. A new striker has to be a priority for us this summer.
Terry: Positives were a great performance again and good goals. Jimenez is awesome, he's like a Duracell bunny and just keeps going. Hill was so unlucky after another solid game. We'll miss Senesi. I'm proud to be a Cherry. Negatives were VAR and officials.
John: I cannot believe that Evanilson's goal was not given, his hand was offside but you can't score with your hand! Also how does that Leeds goal count as the striker is offside and blocking Petrovic? It's madness! Overall another good display from the team.
Scott: The 2-2 draw still doesn't make sense, Bournemouth should've won 3-1 and would've been moved up to sixth place and chance for a European boost.
Andy: VAR again tried hard to ruin the game - ref was third rate at best. Cherries were the best team and result was injustice
Leeds fans
David: The great thing about this Leeds team is they never give up. Maybe we were lucky with the offside at the end, but it was an amazing strike by Sean Longstaff. Bournemouth definitely shaded it, but we showed true Yorkshire grit and resilience.
Jim: A well fought out game between two competitive teams. Leeds battled to the last minute. Delighted for Sean Longstaff, he's fighting hard to get back in the team, and what a great team spirit!
Chris: Leeds keep on improving and it's down to Daniel Farke who's found the way to get the best out of the team - not just with motivation but starting line-ups and earlier substitutions when needed. It's all part of the steep learning curve Leeds have been on in the Premier League. I have no doubt whatsoever Leeds are staying up this year as they'll take more points from the remaining games. The third-from-bottom position will go to the wire I think and Leeds might have a say against West Ham.
Analysis: Late blow for Bournemouth but youngsters shinepublished at 23:10 BST 22 April
23:10 BST 22 April
Sam Drury BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
With seconds remaining, Bournemouth looked set to be jumping up to sixth and to within four points of Liverpool in the final Champions League spot.
It was all set up for a thrilling end to Andoni Iraola's time in charge and a parting gift - both to the fans and successor Marco Rose - of European football.
Sean Longstaff's late strike doesn't end that dream but dropping two points so late on is undoubtedly a painful blow - even more so given Iraola was adamant that Leeds' Joel Piroe was offside and disturbing the view of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
It means a fifth straight home draw in the Premier League, 16 league draws in all and while a 14-game unbeaten run is to be commended, no doubt the thought of what turning a couple of those into wins would mean will have crossed the minds of Iraola and his players.
Rather than outsiders, they might have been right in the thick of the race to reach Europe's premier club competition.
Qualifying for European competition of any kind next season would be a huge achievement for Bournemouth and that goal is still well within reach - especially with talents such as Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan in their ranks.
The two 19-year-olds showed their qualities, Kroupi bursting into life after a quiet night to score the opener and continue his impressive campaign while Rayan was lively off the bench, even before sweeping in the hosts' second goal.
The Brazilian only arrived in January and Kroupi is in his first season with the club, but already there are murmurings of interest from elsewhere.
Bournemouth will argue that a guarantee of regular game time will be more beneficial to them at this stage of their career if it the need to persuade either of them to stay arises, but doing so would be that much easier if they can also offer European football.
Bournemouth 2-2 Leeds: What Iraola saidpublished at 22:49 BST 22 April
22:49 BST 22 April
Media caption,
Iraola frustrated after Leeds' equaliser was not ruled out for offside
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We are very frustrated, very angry. To concede in the 96th moment, I think it's a clear offside. [Joel] Piroe affects the keeper, he's at the side where the ball goes in. It's not acceptable. I am waiting to talk to the referee. I hope he explains it to me, but we've lost two points in the last second of the game with a player offside affecting our keeper.
"He hasn't had the chance to go and dive or to see the position, the trajectory of the ball. It has affected [Djordje] Petrovic and in the same way it's offside for Evanilson, he's one millimetre, but we have to accept it. This is the same. It affects Petrovic.
"It takes two points that are decisive in this moment in the season."
On the overall performance: "I think we were better than Leeds, but it's the result that matters.
"When we almost celebrated 3-1, it's one millimetre, but I think the last one is the one we cannot accept."
On giving Marco Rose a strong foundation and potentially European football next season: "We will see. But today has been a big disappointment not finishing with three points, but obviously we will try and finish as high as we can."
Did you know?
Despite conceding at 96:05, Bournemouth have extended their unbeaten Premier League run to 14 games (W6 D8) which is the longest ongoing run without defeat across the big five European leagues.
Only five different players have scored more goals as a teenager in a single Premier League campaign than Junior Kroupi's 11 for Bournemouth so far this term, while the Frenchman became the first ever teenager to score home and away against Leeds in a single Premier League campaign.
Media caption,
Andoni Iraola: 'It wasn't even a difficult decision to get right'
Leeds boss Daniel Farke sticks with the same team that started both Saturday's 3-0 win over Wolves and the 2-1 victory at Manchester United last week.
Noah Okafor scored three times across those two games, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin's late penalty against Wolves ended the striker's six-game Premier League goal drought.
The Whites will move 11 points clear of the relegation zone with a win tonight.
Succession planning - the key to Bournemouth's success?published at 13:27 BST 22 April
13:27 BST 22 April
Mark Mitchener BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
A fortnight ago, as Bournemouth prepared to return to league action after three weeks without a game, a run of five draws had left any hopes of European qualification seemingly fading into the distance.
However, back-to-back away wins at Arsenal and Newcastle, with the players unaffected by the confirmation of head coach Andoni Iraola's departure at the end of the season, has drawn Europe back into sharp focus.
And while the Cherries are yet to beat a newly promoted team in 2025-26, with four draws and a defeat from their first five attempts, a win over Leeds on Wednesday evening would allow them to leapfrog Brighton into sixth place, while even a draw would nudge them above Chelsea into seventh.
While speculation had hung over Iraola's future for most of the campaign as his contract ticked down, the swift announcement of Marco Rose as his successor has prevented a drawn-out period of uncertainty over Bournemouth's direction of travel.
Succession planning has been an important factor for the Cherries as they continue to compete with clubs with much bigger stadiums and deeper pockets.
There was less than a week between the announcements of Iraola's exit and Rose's arrival. Similarly, after speculation over Dominic Solanke's future had dominated the summer of 2024, once the striker's protracted move to Tottenham finally went through, the signing of his replacement Evanilson was completed less than a week later.
And last summer, the saga of Milos Kerkez's switch to Liverpool dragged on so much that Bournemouth actually completed the signing of his replacement Adrien Truffert before Kerkez had put pen to paper at Anfield.
The Cherries' push up the table will not have gone unnoticed, and has already provoked a fresh round of summer transfer speculation around some of this season's standout players, such as Alex Scott and Eli Junior Kroupi.
While much of what has been written, and will be written in the coming weeks, can be taken with a pinch of salt, it is clear that Bournemouth's recruitment team are used to planning for eventualities.
Although the Cherries hierarchy would prefer there not to be an exodus on the scale of last summer, contingency planning will be in place. Or to put it another way, for every Antoine Semenyo sale, there is a Rayan deal waiting to be done.
They are not mathematically safe yet but they soon will be, because they have been phenomenal when I have watched them recently. They are so well organised and their system works - there is a lovely balance to their team and they have got a goal or two in them.
Eli Junior Kroupi's stoppage-time goal denied Leeds a win at Elland Road in September, but at that stage of the season Leeds had a habit of fading late in games - not any more.
Their previous away performance, for their win at Old Trafford, was absolutely outstanding and I can see them giving Bournemouth a good game.
The Cherries are playing with lots of confidence too, however, and they have not lost in the league since the start of January. I am going with them to nick this one, and leave Leeds with a little bit more work to do.
Bournemouth v Leeds: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 10:59 BST 22 April
10:59 BST 22 April
Sophie Brown BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth host Leeds in a meeting of two in-form Premier League teams on Wednesday.
Cherries are unbeaten in their past 13 league matches, which is the best such run of any Premier League club this season, and are in firm contention to qualify for Europe for the first time.
That in a season which began with losing four of their first-choice back five from last season, and then their top scorer departed in January. In addition, last season's top scorer Justin Kluivert has not played since the beginning of the year because of injury.
Teenagers Rayan and Junior Kroupi have seamlessly stepped into the gaps left by Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo, with Kroupi becoming the first teenager to reach double figures in his maiden Premier League season since Robbie Keane in 1999-2000.
If there is room for improvement, it is in their home form. Bournemouth have won four of their past 10 league matches but all four victories have come away from Vitality Stadium. Meanwhile, they have drawn their past four at home - another stalemate would see them become the first Premier League club to draw five in a row at home since Burnley in 2021.
However, given this is the first home match since Andoni Iraola announced that he would be leaving at the end of the season, his side will be hoping to mark it with a win to end that run.
Leeds also seem to enjoy the spring season. They have won all of their past seven league matches in the month of April, keeping five clean sheets and conceding just twice.
Most recent - and arguably most important - was Saturday's 3-0 win over Wolves, which made it back-to-back league wins for the first time this season and earned three vital points which should secure their Premier League safety.
While not yet mathematically certain, but no team has ever been relegated after taking 39 or more points from their first 33 games of a 38-game Premier League season.
Leeds have lost just four of their 15 league games in 2026, with their form revival coinciding with that of Noah Okafor, who also happens to have scored in both of Leeds' away wins in the league this season.
The Swiss striker went 16 consecutive Premier League appearances without a goal or an assist between October and January, but has been involved in six goals across his past five appearances, with five goals and an assist. Only Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes has had more goal involvements since the beginning of February.
April has also provided a long overdue league victory at Old Trafford and a dramatic FA Cup quarter-final win over West Ham. A midweek win over Bournemouth would be the perfect way to prepare for Sunday's semi-final at Wembley, where Leeds are targeting a first FA Cup final for 53 years.
Image source, Getty Images
