Eddie Howe should be the "Lord Mayor of Bournemouth", according to ex-Saints boss Harry Redknapp.

Howe's Bournemouth side beat Bolton 3-0 last night and are now effectively promoted to the Premier League - six years after narrowly avoiding relegation to the non league.

Their ascent will be confirmed on Saturday at Charlton, and watching on at his old club, Redknapp lauded the 37-year-old manager.

"Eddie deserves to be the Lord Mayor or something," said Redknapp.

"It's fantastic, thoroughly deserved. They've been amazing all year and the football they produced tonight they have produced all year.

"It's a pleasure to come and watch them."

Redknapp had 464 games in charge of the Cherries and could not hide his delight.

"I'm very happy," he added.

"Everybody has played a great part, the owner has put the money in, the chairman, the chief exec... Eddie has done an amazing job. A fantastic manager.

"This is the best team in the history of Bournemouth."

Redknapp went on to praise the culture Howe has fostered at the club.

"This is his club, he's got a lovely way about him, he encourages them to play football and not just boot it up the pitch," he added.

"They've bought into his ideas and I think, you can't speak highly enough of him.

"He's a quiet man, a quiet lad. I live here and you never hear anything bad about the players. No-one says a bad word, they're a pleasure."