Cherries boss Lee Bradbury says he has no regrets over his move into management and is relishing the chance to surpass last season’s achievements.

Bradbury called time on his 15-year professional playing career to take charge at Dean Court following Eddie Howe’s exit to Burnley.

After guiding Cherries to a draw at Rochdale and victory over Brighton as caretaker boss, the former Portsmouth and Manchester City star was handed the job on a permanent basis.

Alongside his player-assistant Steve Fletcher, Bradbury was appointed as manager on a two-and-a-half year contract at the end of January.

The 35-year-old subsequently kept Cherries on track for promotion before the club missed out on a place in the Championship when they suffered play-off penalty agony at Huddersfield.

But looking ahead to next season in League One, Bradbury revealed that the experience he has had since being in the hot-seat had made him more determined to drive the club forward.

He told the Daily Echo: “We are looking forward to getting the lads back for pre-season and are really looking forward to the season.

“The taste we have had since January has given us the drive to go on and try to do that again – to reach the play-offs or get promoted – and we are excited about next year.”

Bradbury, who recharged his batteries with a break earlier this month, is getting a taste of what life is like for managers during the close season.

The Cherries boss is busy trying to enhance his squad ahead of the League One campaign, while he has also seen bids come in for star players Jason Pearce, Danny Ings and Rhoys Wiggins, all of which have so far been rejected by chairman Eddie Mitchell.

Discussing the summer period, Bradbury added: “As a player, you can switch off and it is your time away from the club for six or seven weeks.

“But as a manager, it is completely different. I have had my two weeks’ holiday and that will be it now until next year.

“It is tiring but it is a very rewarding job. If you do well, like we did last season, there is no better place to be.”

Bradbury, meanwhile, has confirmed that AFC Totton winger Mike Gosney is not one of his potential summer signings.

Cherries could bring in their first recruits of the close season later this week, although Bradbury is remaining tight-lipped on his transfer targets.

Meanwhile, Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell revealed that Portsmouth had been back in contact yesterday about Jason Pearce after seeing an initial bid for the defender rejected on Monday.

Mitchell reported that Pompey had indicated they could yet test Cherries’ resolve again, but he added that the Fratton Park outfit were still “way below par” with their offer.