NEW Burnley manager Eddie Howe will take his first training session this morning after signing a three-and-a-half year deal.

The former Bournemouth boss and his number two, Jason Tindall, were in the stands to watch Saturday's goalless draw with Championship leaders QPR, less than 24 hours after leaving the Cherries.

Negotiations were held with the Burnley board yesterday, after which Howe was confirmed as Brian Laws’ successor, ending a two-and-a-half week search for a replacement.

The in-demand 33-year-old has spent the bulk of his career with the south coast club, who he led from the depths of League Two to League One promotion contenders.

And after turning down offers from Peterborough United last season, Southampton in the summer and both Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace just last week, he admitted it would take a “special club” to tear both him and Tindall away from Bournemouth.

On signing his contract at Turf Moor, ending a 15-year association with the Cherries as player and manager, the former central defender said: "This is a fantastic club and you only had to see the fans at the game here on Saturday to see how passionate they are.

"It is just a fantastic opportunity for Jason and myself to join such a big, ambitious and progressive club, and we are delighted.

"We had such a great time at Bournemouth and it was always going to take a special club for us to leave, because of the fantastic success we’ve had there in the past two years.

"We just felt Burnley was that club and we are ready to take on a huge challenge.

"However, it’s one we are excited by. The team is in a decent league position, but there is still a long way to go and hopefully we can get off to a good a start and see where that takes us."

Howe’s first game is a trip to Scunthorpe United on Saturday which, like his 100th and final game in charge of Bournemouth, will be televised (kick-off 5.20pm).

Some of the players are known to Howe already, most notably Wade Elliott as the duo were team-mates at Bournemouth before the winger moved to Turf Moor in the summer of 2005.

Meanwhile Michael Duff was on the same UEFA A licence coaching course as new assistant boss Jason Tindall.