Rofe joins Cherries backroom

Bournemouth have appointed Dennis Rofe as their new first-team coach ahead of the new season.

Rofe, who previously spent seven years coaching at Southampton, will work alongside Cherries boss Paul Groves and his assistant Shaun Brooks. "I'm delighted to be able to take up the job," he told the club's website. "It came out of the blue but I have always had a healthy respect for Bournemouth, and when I was at Southampton we formed a good relationship with the club. "Both Paul and Shaun are forward-thinking. Paul was manager of the youth team when I went to have a look at them last season, and he's a very knowledgeable man and I would like to think we can get the players into good shape for the start of the season."