Defoe keen to pick up management tips from Cherries boss Howe

His focus may be on his performances on the pitch for now, but new Bournemouth signing Jermain Defoe is determined to learn all he can from boss Eddie Howe as he looks to a future in management.

Defoe has penned a three-year-deal at the Vitality Stadium following his switch from Sunderland, in what will be his second spell with the Cherries after his fruitful loan spell from West Ham in the 2000/01 season.

During that campaign, he played alongside new boss Howe as well as six other current Bournemouth backroom staff.

At 34, Defoe is nearing the end of his playing days, but while he may be starting to plan for life post-retirement, it appears his manager has other ideas.

(Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

“I would love to follow in his footsteps,” Defoe said. “As you get older, of course you think on that sort of level.

“You always look at a manager and think ‘I like the way you do this or the way you do that’ and, if I was a manager, I would do the same.

“That is the way I am beginning to think. I would like to take my coaching badges and and I would like to try and take a lot from Eddie this year.

“One of the first things Eddie said to me was that he would still like to improve me, even at the age of 34.

“I’ve been in the game a long time, so for a manager to say that to me is good because it means I know I can still improve.”