Bournemouth make O’Neil permanent manager

Bournemouth have appointed Gary O’Neil as manager on a permanent basis following his spell as interim boss.

O’Neil has signed a one-and-a-half-year contract, which has the option to extend for a further 12 months.

Bournemouth have taken 13 points from 11 top-flight games with O’Neil in charge, 14th in the Premier League.

He has also guided the Cherries into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup thanks to a 4-1 win against Everton. After a 3-0 league win over the Toffees in their last game before the World Cup break.

“We have been impressed with the way he has conducted himself since joining the club and feel he has earned this opportunity to continue to take the team and the club forward,” said chief executive Neill Blake from Bournemouth.

“Gary has worked tirelessly and diligently on the training ground and the players have responded with excellent performances and results.

“It was clear from the reception he received from our supporters after the Premier League win against Everton that they have also appreciated his efforts and we are all looking forward to continuing our working relationship with him.”

The decision has been made in the face of the possibility that the cherries will be taken over by a consortium based in Las Vegas.

Former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa gave talks about becoming the new manager, but O’Neil will now have the chance to build on his interim spell.

As a player, he made over 450 appearances for clubs including Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, West Ham, QPR and Norwich.

He took up his first coaching role in August 2020, when he became assistant coach with Liverpool’s Under-23 side.

O’Neil joined the coaching staff at Bournemouth under former manager Jonathan Woodgate in February 2021 and took charge of the first team following Parker’s departure following a 9- 0 against Liverpool.

The Cherries’ first game after the World Cup will be the Carabao Cup tie at Newcastle on December 21, followed by a visit to Chelsea in the league on December 27.