Premier League club statement released as Newcastle United cult hero announces next career move

Former Newcastle United star Matt Ritchie has expressed his gratitude after being appointed as AFC Bournemouth’s technical director.

Ritchie joined Newcastle from the Cherries in 2016 and went on to make over 200 appearances for the club, scoring 25 goals. After leaving St James’ Park, Ritchie joined Portsmouth as a free agent before moving on to Reading for the 2025/26 campaign.

The 36-year-old has now called time on his playing career to take up an off-field role at Bournemouth. It comes after the Cherries finished sixth and secured European qualification for the first time.

Newcastle’s official X account stated: “Matt Ritchie has announced his retirement from playing and will take up the role of technical director at AFC Bournemouth. Congratulations on a fantastic career, Matt. Wishing you all the very best for the future.”

Bournemouth released an official club statement confirming the news, describing Ritchie as ‘one of the club’s most respected figures’. Ritchie spent four seasons at Bournemouth and played a key role in helping the side earn promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 2015, a feat he repeated with Newcastle two years later.

“It’s with a great amount of gratitude that I return in such a successful era,” he said.

“I’ve always felt a deep connection with the football club and it’s somewhere that has always held a special place in my heart with all the fond memories that we shared together.

“I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in this season’s achievements, from the head coach to staff, players and every department throughout the football club.

“Each time I visited the training ground, there was an instant feeling of togetherness, spirit and ambition around the place. It’s something I’m incredibly grateful to now be a part of moving forward.”

Ritchie replaces Simon Francis as technical director.

“Since moving home over the last two years and spending more time together, Si has given me a real insight into what the role entails while our friendship has helped me reconnect with the football club after being away for so long,” he added.

“I’m looking forward to joining a strong and experienced recruitment team, who have already shared so much knowledge with me about how the department operates successfully.

“I also look forward to working alongside Marco [Rose] and his technical staff, supporting them in every way possible as we aim to create even more history together.”