MANAGER Eddie Howe is one of four major members of Cherries’ staff taking “significant” voluntary pay cuts for the entirety of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Cherries boss, along with assistant Jason Tindall, technical director Richard Hughes and chief executive Neill Blake have also volunteered to have their wages decreased.

Cherries have also followed the likes of Newcastle, Tottenham and Norwich in temporarily furloughing “a number of staff” throughout the pandemic, in a bid to “safeguard the financial stability of the club”.

Furloughed employees, who will be on leave for a minimum of three weeks, will make up 80 per cent of their wages up to £2,500, through the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme.

But like Norwich, staff will not be out of pocket throughout the pandemic, with Cherries topping up each employee’s wage to ensure 100 per cent of their earnings are received.

A statement from the club’s board of directors said: “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to gather pace, there are far more questions than answers regarding its effects.

“As a board we are continually looking at ways to ensure the future of the club and our employees is protected when the season returns.

“With this in mind, the club’s chief executive Neill Blake, first team technical director Richard Hughes, manager Eddie Howe and assistant manager Jason Tindall have all taken significant, voluntary pay cuts for the entirety of this uncertain time.

“We have also advised a number of staff across all areas of the club that they will be temporarily furloughed, as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

“These measures have been taken to safeguard the financial stability of the club during what is such an uncertain period, not only in football but for businesses in all industries across the world.

“Furloughed employees – all of whose roles have been affected by the closure of Vitality Stadium and the club’s other sites – will be on leave for a minimum of three weeks under the UK government's coronavirus job retention scheme, which is currently set to run until Sunday, May 31.

“Throughout the entirety of this time, they will continue to receive their full salary, with the club committing to topping up each furloughed employee’s wages to 100 per cent of their normal pay, while claiming back 80 per cent of their wages up to a maximum of £2,500 per month, as per government guidelines.

“In this time of great uncertainty, our thoughts are with those who are affected by this virus and those who are caring for them.”

Cherries have not played a Premier League game since March 7, a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool.

English football’s top four divisions are currently suspended until at least April 30, with a further meeting on Friday set to discuss the future of the campaign.