Bournemouth manager Marco Rose faces his first Premier League home match on Saturday as his side hosts Everton at the Vitality Stadium. Rose, 49, only had his initial opportunity to assess the venue on Thursday, just two days before leading his team against David Moyes’ Everton. Renovations over the summer raised the pitch to Europa League standards, delaying Rose and his squad from playing or training on it until the final stages of preparation.
Although the stadium upgrades meant limited familiarity, Rose expressed confidence that Everton manager Moyes would not hold an advantage despite his extensive experience at the Vitality Stadium. Moyes has managed multiple Premier League clubs on the road at Bournemouth, including Preston North End, Sunderland, West Ham, and now Everton. Rose, however, emphasized that winning the match depends on his players’ experience and resilience rather than his personal knowledge of the ground.
Bournemouth enter the fixture following a rare home defeat. Their 2-1 loss to Manchester City on Sunday ended a remarkable 232-day unbeaten run in Premier League matches at the Vitality Stadium, which began with a 3-2 loss to Arsenal in January. Rose is keen to deliver a strong response against Everton as the league season progresses.
The two managers share a history dating back to when Moyes visited Rose while he was coaching at Red Bull Salzburg. The men kept in occasional contact, exchanging information on players before reconnecting ahead of this match. Rose spoke positively of Moyes’ start with Everton and acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting that both sides are aiming for a competitive and fair contest.
Despite Bournemouth’s opening day defeat at Manchester City, Rose said he found the experience inspiring. He described the Premier League as an intense and globally significant competition, expressing pride at becoming a Premier League coach. While disappointed by the goals conceded in their initial match, Rose praised his team’s overall performance and expressed belief in their ability to learn and improve.
Rose is also enthusiastic about his first encounter with Bournemouth fans at the Vitality Stadium. He said he looks forward to feeling the home atmosphere after the experience in Manchester and is eager to make a positive impression in front of the club’s supporters.