THE [Cherries](http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/) have announced the appointment of Dr Robert Percy Marshall as the club’s new director of medical and performance.
[As reported, the club was finalising the deal for Marshall from RB Leipzig, but were cautious with the deal after their experience with bringing Inigo Perez and failing to get a work permit.](https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/25292590.afc-bournemouth-finalising-deal-rb-leipzig-doctor-marshall/)
But the club have now confirmed the appointment, with Marshall set to ‘lead and coordinate all areas of athlete performance across the club’.
This will help to coordinate and integrate the sports science and medical departments, the club said.
Alongside this, he will oversee nutrition, recovery and psychological support to ‘drive long-term performance research and innovation’.
The current performance director Jay Mellette will return to the Vegas Golden Knights to take up the position of vice president of performance and medicine ahead of the 2025/26 NHL season – also owned by Bill Foley.
Mellett joined the Cherries in the summer of 2023 and ‘played a critical role in elevating the club’s performance strategy’.
AFC Bournemouth’s president of football operations, Tiago Pinto, told afcb.co.uk: “I’m delighted to welcome Robert to the club as our new Performance Director. He is someone with many years of experience, who can help bring new ideas and shape the future of performance for our club.
“He will join us in July and work closely with Andoni and the squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as we look to build on our successes of the previous season.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to Jay for the role he has played across his two years at the club. We’re extremely grateful for his efforts and wish him well as he embarks on his next journey within the organisation.”
Marshall was at RB Leipzig for seven years, where he worked with Justin Kluivert and Tyler Adams.