AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has explained the reason behind David James’ exit from the club as being from restructuring.
James agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent on Tuesday, having made 19 appearances in a six month stay on the south coast.
“David has been excellent for us. He’s been a model professional and I can’t speak highly enough of him,” Howe told the media.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had to make some difficult calls, not just on the goalkeeping front, in terms of picking who we think is our best goalkeeper, but financially we are having to readjust.”
“We have to realign the playing side like the club has been realigned off the pitch, so we are no different to that. The club has to be streamlined and it has to make sure its manageable, so we are in the process of doing that. We will have to make some difficult decisions, but it will all be for the benefit of the club.”
“We thank him for everything he has done for the club and we wish him well in the future.”
Howe said that he had been encouraged by the performances of Ryan Allsop, who recorded his first clean sheet since joining the Cherries in last night’s win over Stevenage.
“It was a really assured display and I think he will grow into the role. He’s very young for a goalkeeper but he’s gained good experience with Leyton Orient,” he said.
“He’s one of the most highly regarded ‘keepers in the league and hopefully he can grow with us.”
AFC Bournemouth recently made other members of the club redundant in a restructuring plan, including media manager Mick Cunningham and Commercial Executive Tom Jeffes.
Main image from AFC Bournemouth Facebook.
