Ex Newcastle United star Matt Ritchie has been appointed as the Technical Director at a Premier League club.
BBC Sport revealing that the 36-year-old is returning to Bournemouth.
Matt Ritchie taking the job as technical director to replace Simon Francis.
Early last month Bournemouth announced (see below) that Simon Francis was leaving, with him understood to be set to take up a new post with a Saudi Arabian club.
Matt Ritchie will turn 37 in September but had another year to go on his playing contract at Reading, agreement now reached though to let him go.
Simon Francis and Matt Ritchie played together for Bournemouth under Eddie Howe.
BBC Sport state: ‘It was considered important for the Cherries to have a former player working alongside experienced sporting director Tiago Pinto, helping the club remain close to its players and maintain an understanding of its values. His responsibilities will include recruitment, player pathways, squad planning and overall football strategy. Meanwhile, Pinto has a pre-existing relationship with Ritchie, who has been working towards his coaching A Licence in the club’s academy.’
Back on 4 May 2026 the departure of Simon Francis was officially confirmed by Bournemouth: ‘AFC Bournemouth can confirm that First Team Technical Director, Simon Francis, will depart the club at the end of the season. Francis brings to a close a remarkable 15-year association with the club, having first joined as a player in 2011, before transitioning into a key leadership role off the pitch. As a player, he captained the side during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, including promotion to the Premier League and establishing AFC Bournemouth at the highest level of English football.’
The official Bournemouth announcement about Simon Francis’ departure going on to say: ‘During his time as Technical Director, Francis has played an integral part in shaping the club’s football strategy, recruitment structure, and overall sporting development, helping bring in a number of key players who have strengthened the squad, many of which remain integral to the team today, while others have gone on to compete at the highest level of European football.’