It's a club that's dear to my heart, and to be given the opportunity to start my managerial career here is fantastic Kevin Bond

Ex-Cherries skipper Bond has signed a deal until the end of the season.

He was sacked by Newcastle last month following allegations in a BBC Panorama programme saying he would consider receiving payments from an agent.

But Bond, 49, who was assistant boss at Portsmouth at the time, says he has never been interested in receiving bungs and will fight to clear his name.

Bond has beaten Andy Hessenthaler and Phil Brown to the post and replaces Sean O'Driscoll, who quit to take over as manager of Doncaster Rovers four weeks ago.

The son of former Bournemouth manager John Bond, Kevin played more than 100 games for the Cherries and has also had two spells as assistant boss to Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth.

"It's an enormous pleasure for me to be back where it all started," he said.

"I began my playing career here as an apprentice, and finished it here as a senior player under Harry Redknapp.

"It's a club that's dear to my heart, and to be given the opportunity to start my managerial career here is fantastic, so I'm absolutely delighted. It's the perfect job.

KEVIN BOND FACTFILE Born: West Ham, 22.6.1957 Position: Defender Playing career: Bournemouth (apprentice), Norwich, Seattle Sounders, Manchester City, Southampton, Bournemouth, Exeter Coaching career: Manchester City, Stafford Rangers (manager), Portsmouth, Southampton, Newcastle

"I haven't really had a chance to speak to my father yet - although I made him aware of the appointment, and he's absolutely thrilled for me.

"I've got so many memories of my younger days here when he was the manager, the place was really buzzing and if I could replicate that, it would be wonderful.

"The stadium's been turned around from when I played, but there's a familiarity as soon as you walk in the door - certain things have changed but a lot of the faces around the club are the same.

"Sean O'Driscoll's done a wonderful job here over the last few years and put down some terrific foundations.

"I know the players are all intelligent, they know what the game's about and they've been brought up in the right way, so I've no fears there."

Bond - who previously had a spell as manager of non-league Stafford Rangers - has not yet recruited an assistant, but will wait until after Saturday's game at Millwall before assessing his squad and staff.

He insists he is ready to face the challenge of management - despite the recent events involving the Panorama programme.

"I hoped I would get back quickly - and it's credit to the people at Bournemouth for not taking notice of all the hype," he said.

"I know I've never done anything wrong, and you hope the people who know you well, like the people at Bournemouth, have the same faith and disregard the negative stuff."