CHERRIES have told Jonathan Woodgate his contract at the club will not be renewed.

The Daily Echo understands the former England centre-half will not be offered new terms, with his current deal set to expire on Wednesday.

Woodgate originally arrived at the club as a first-team coach under Jason Tindall earlier this year, replacing Graeme Jones.

But after Tindall was sacked, the club’s board asked Woodgate to step up as caretaker manager.

He was then given the role as head coach until the end of the season and guided Cherries to sixth spot in the Championship table.

Woodgate saw the Dorset club suffer a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Brentford in the play-off semi-final, ending their hopes of an immediate return to the top flight.

He managed the club 23 times in all competitions, winning 13, drawing two and losing eight times.

The Daily Echo understands Woodgate had returned to his home up north following the play-off defeat but had been continually kept in contact with the club about the process moving forward. The departure is said to have been amicable.

The news means Cherries are on the hunt for a fresh face to lead the club into the 2021-22 campaign.

Scott Parker is hotly tipped to take over from Woodgate, with Sky claiming the mutual termination of his contract at Fulham is set to be done within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Cherries are due back in for pre-season testing on Monday, with training set to begin this week ahead of the new Championship campaign.

The Dorset club are set to face West Bromwich Albion in their season opener on Saturday, August 7.