AFC Bournemouth: Eddie Howe aims to surpass Harry Redknapp
Last updated on .From the section Bournemouth
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says he is aiming to exceed the achievements of former boss Harry Redknapp - ahead of his competitive return to Dean Court.
Redknapp, who managed the Cherries between 1983 and 1992, brings his QPR team to Dean Court on Saturday.
His second-tier Bournemouth side achieved the highest finish in the club's history, but Howe hopes his own team can surpass them.
"It was something we looked at the start of the season," said Howe.
Redknapp's Bournemouth team finished 12th in 1989 and Howe's currently sit 10th with seven games remaining.
"It would be nice to emulate and surpass what he did with the team he built and how high they got," Howe told BBC Radio Solent.
"It's a really good target for us, so we want to beat his team and set up what would be a really exciting end to the season."
The former Cherries defender has no doubt Redknapp will be given a "great reception" on Saturday considering his contribution to the club.
"He did a magnificent job here for such a long period of time," said Howe.
"People forget how long he was here. He led the club into uncharted territory and did really well at Championship level over a few seasons.
"When you think of Bournemouth, you think of Harry Redknapp, and that is probably the biggest compliment I could pay him."
Redknapp is still revered at Bournemouth and Howe was surprised the former Tottenham boss missed out on the England job to Roy Hodgson in 2012.
"I felt everyone in the country was right behind him," he said.
"He would have done a superb job for the country. For whatever reason it did not happen and I think we will have those regrets because he deserved to manage his country."
Howe has also paid tribute to Kevin Bond ahead of his return to Dean Court on Saturday.
Bond, who is assistant manager at QPR alongside Redknapp, was in charge of the Cherries between 2006 and 2008 and gave Howe his first job in coaching.
Howe later became boss in 2008 before leaving for Burnley in 2011. He returned in October 2012 and led Bournemouth into the Championship.
"I owe a huge amount to Kevin," Howe told BBC South Today.
"He showed faith in me when I was coming to the end of my career and I was going nowhere.
"I had no plans set out for me and I'm thankful to Kevin for giving me an opportunity on the coaching side.
"At that stage I did not know coaching was what I wanted to go into so he pushed me in that direction.
"I loved working with him and I've always been close to him and speak to him on a regular basis as he is someone I have huge respect for."
Meanwhile, midfielder Donal McDermott has left Bournemouth after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.
McDermott made 35 appearance for the club in two spells, with the last coming in a Capital One Cup tie against Watford in August.
