Bournemouth have brought former midfielder Matt Ritchie back to the club, naming him as their new technical director. He succeeds Simon Francis, who is expected to leave for Saudi Arabia.
The 36-year-old arrives from Reading after the two clubs reached an agreement. With Francis’s departure imminent, the Cherries saw value in adding a former player to the backroom staff.
Ritchie will work alongside experienced sporting director Tiago Pinto, helping preserve the club’s identity and maintain strong ties with the current squad.
Ritchie’s duties will cover recruitment, player development pathways, squad planning, and overall football strategy.
During his earlier stint at Bournemouth, Ritchie made 142 appearances and scored 31 goals. He has also featured in Champions League squads elsewhere and earned caps for Scotland.
More recently, he has been working toward his coaching A Licence within Bournemouth’s own academy, where Pinto already knew him well.
Speaking to the club’s website, Pinto expressed his enthusiasm: “Matt’s connection with AFC Bournemouth, combined with his experience across the game, makes him a fantastic addition to our technical team. As we keep growing as a club, it’s vital that we hold onto the DNA, values, and identity that have brought us success. Matt will be key to that while also helping push the club forward.”
Ritchie added: “This club has always meant a huge amount to me, so coming back in this role is very special. I’ve spent a long time preparing for life after playing, learning from experienced people and deepening my understanding of football’s technical and strategic side.
“Now that I’ve met Marco, I’m even more excited about what lies ahead. It’s a brilliant opportunity, and I want to thank Bill, Ryan, and Tiago for their trust and belief in me.”
