​New Bournemouth manager Marco Rose has addressed the media for the first time since being confirmed as the club’s new head coach, speaking at his official unveiling at the Cherries’ Performance Centre. The German coach used Friday’s press conference to discuss his early impressions of the club, his plans for the squad, Bournemouth’s European ambitions and the challenge of building on the most successful season in the club’s history.
Rose said he has quickly felt at home on the south coast and praised the welcome he has received from staff, players and everyone connected with Bournemouth. Reflecting on his first few days in the job, he explained that he has settled in smoothly and has already been impressed by the working environment at the club. He described the atmosphere around Bournemouth as supportive, professional and positive, adding that the culture inside the club has stood out to him immediately. Rose said those qualities are exactly what he values as a coach and that he is excited to experience more of them as he begins work with the squad.
One of the main topics raised during the press conference was the future of several key Bournemouth players, with reports linking Eli Junior Kroupi, Alex Scott and Rayan with interest from elsewhere. Rose insisted that, at this stage, he has seen no indication that any of his important players are unsettled or pushing for a move away. He said his early conversations with the squad have left him with the impression that the players are happy at Bournemouth and feel they are in the right place to continue developing. The new boss also stressed that the club is doing plenty behind the scenes to show its players they are valued and that Bournemouth remains an ambitious and attractive place to be.
Asked specifically about Eli Junior Kroupi, Rose was full of praise for the forward’s progress last season. He suggested that Kroupi still has enormous potential and does not believe there should be any limit placed on what he can achieve. Rose pointed out that the young attacker is in an ideal environment to keep improving, especially with Bournemouth preparing to compete in Europe and take on a busy schedule. He also highlighted the benefits of playing regularly in the Premier League, which he described as the most competitive and intense league in world football.
Rose also spoke about Alex Scott and the importance of young players choosing the right moment to take the next step in their careers. He said Scott understands what Bournemouth can offer him and warned that moving too quickly can sometimes create difficulties for promising players. According to Rose, development is about timing as much as talent, and he believes Bournemouth can provide the right platform for Scott to keep growing.
The new Bournemouth manager confirmed that the club are looking to strengthen defensively following the departure of Alex Jimenez to Fiorentina earlier this week. Rose said Bournemouth will search for the right defender, making it clear that recruitment remains an important part of the club’s summer plans as they prepare for both domestic and European competition.
Rose was also asked about replacing Andoni Iraola, who guided Bournemouth through a historic campaign and helped deliver European football. The new head coach acknowledged that pressure comes with the role, especially after such a successful season. He revealed that when talks began, and Iraola was considering a different challenge, he started watching Bournemouth closely and studying the club. Rose said qualifying for Europe is a major achievement and something the club fully deserved because of the quality and style of football shown last season.
He made it clear that his aim is not to completely change Bournemouth’s identity. Instead, Rose wants to protect the club’s culture, maintain its aggressive and front-foot approach, and continue building on the foundations already in place. He said he was impressed by the way Bournemouth played last season and is looking forward to the challenge of carrying that momentum into a new campaign.
On the Europa League, Rose delivered a strong message about the club’s ambitions. He said Bournemouth do not simply want to take part in Europe for the experience, but intend to compete seriously and try to progress. Rose insisted the Cherries want to be competitive in every tournament they enter and made it clear that the objective will be to win games and reach the next round, not just enjoy the occasion.
One of the more memorable moments from Rose’s first day on the training pitch was his decision to invite Bournemouth’s under-nines to train alongside the first team. He explained that young players should always matter to a club, regardless of whether a coach is in place for years or only a short time. Rose said seeing the excitement and happiness of the children was a special moment and showed what Bournemouth are about as a family club. He believes that connection between the academy, the senior squad and the wider club is one of Bournemouth’s greatest strengths and something that must continue.
Rose’s first Bournemouth press conference offered a clear message: he respects what has already been built, he wants to keep the club’s identity intact, and he is determined to compete on every front. His comments on player development, European ambition and Bournemouth’s family culture will likely encourage supporters as a new era begins at the Vitality Stadium. What did you make of Marco Rose’s first media appearance as Bournemouth manager, and which of his comments stood out most to you? Let us know via BBC Sport.