Yesterday marked two years since Eddie Howe took over as Cherries boss for his second spell at the club. Since that remarkable day in 2012, he has taken Bournemouth from the League One relegation zone to promotion to to the Championship for only the second time in the club's 124 year history to a 10th place finish last term - marking the most successful season in Bournemouth history.

Howe is eyeing long-term success
Howe is eyeing long-term success

However, Howe's love affair with Bournemouth did not start there. He came through the youth system at the south coast club, and spent 11 years there as a player over two spells making 311 appearances.

Howe made history when he was appointed Bournemouth manager the first time round, becoming the youngest manager in English Football aged only 30. During that spell between 2008-2011, Howe pulled off the great escape from League Two, saving the Cherries from a -17 point deficit and in the next season with the same budget, catapulted his side into League One.

Howe left the Cherries in 2011 after turning down many clubs including Southampton and Crystal Palace, but was lured by then Championship club Burnley, who were recently relegated from the Premier League. After spending two seasons at the Lancashire side, Howe returned to Dean Court for a second spell.

Eddie Howe told the Daily Echo:

"It has been such an enjoyable time and it doesn`t seem two years since we came back. It has flown by, especially the past 12 months...'

'...We know where we would like to be and we know where we would hope to be but, again, there are no guarantees. We will be giving everything to try to improve ourselves and achieve long-term success.

"The club is in good hands at the top, Maxim Demin and the board are ambitious people. This is mirrored by myself, Jason, the staff and the players. I know the supporters are keen for further success and our challenge is to try to bring that to them." 

Bournemouth Chairman Jeff Mostyn also said to the Daily Echo:

"Eddie`s return has coincided with the most successful period in the club`s history, both on and off the pitch, and that is no coincidence.

"We were only heading in one direction before he came back and that was the wrong direction. There was a real danger of us losing our League One status and things weren`t right with the playing structure of the football club.

"In his two years, we were promoted to the second tier for only the second time in our history and finished 10th in the Championship, two places and four points higher than the previous best. Those achievements demonstrate just how successful he has been...'

'...Eddie`s return coincided with a transformation in the team`s fortunes and in a transformation of the spirit of the club. You only have to spend a few minutes in his company to realise how much this club means to him and how determined he is to bring more success."

The Cherries take on Charlton Athletic at home on Saturday which will be Howe's 206th game as manager.