Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake insists Scott Parker was their first choice candidate to manage the club.

Parker has agreed to coach the Championship club after departing relegated Fulham.

The former England midfielder takes over from Jonathan Woodgate, who was relieved of his duties on Sunday.

Blake said: "It has been a long process but I am delighted to finally get our man.

"Scott has always been our number one choice for this role and someone whose coaching career we have taken a keen interest in since his first steps in Tottenham Hotspur's academy.

"Over a period of time he has proven himself as one of the best young head coaches in the country; someone who has a clear philosophy on how he wants to play and knows what it takes to win promotion from the Championship.

"Scott is fully invested in the long-term project in front of us here, and this is the start of an exciting new period for this club."