I'm sure the board will choose somebody who will keep things running smoothly Steve Fletcher

Fletcher, 34, told BBC Sport: "Friends have been ringing me and asking if I want the job, but it's come too quick.

"I've said I'd like to be a manager one day, and Bournemouth would be the job that I'd want as I feel it's my club.

"But I'm still taking my coaching badges at the moment - I'm doing my Level Two and I'm not ready to give up playing yet. But you never say never."

Boss Sean O'Driscoll bowed out after Saturday's 1-0 win over Crewe to join Doncaster, having spent nearly 23 years at Dean Court - including 15 as Fletcher's team-mate, coach and manager.

Fletcher, who has made nearly 550 appearances for the Cherries, admitted: "We were shell-shocked when we were told on Friday - I thought he would be here for life, like myself.

"Players speculate as much as the supporters about who the new man might be - it's pointless saying we don't.

"But I'm sure the board will choose somebody who will keep things running smoothly, as we've shown that on our day we're as good as anyone in our league.

"I just hope it's going to be someone who carries on what we've been doing for years, as you couldn't meet a more professional manager than Sean and we wish him all the best.