Bournemouth sack boss Gary O'Neil despite securing Premier League survival

19 June 2023 , 11:36

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Bournemouth have parted ways with Gary O'Neil (Image: Robert Smith/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Bournemouth have parted company with boss Gary O’Neill after he led them to Premier League safety last season.

O’Neill outperformed expectations for the newly-promoted Cherries having replaced Scott Parker in the dugout in late August. The South Coast club recorded a 15 ^th -placed finish and were five points above the relegation zone.

This was O'Neil's first senior managerial role and he was initially handed the post on an interim basis after Parker was dismissed following a 9-0 defeat at Liverpool. His first two games brought a scoreless draw at Wolves before a victory at home to Nottingham Forest.

O'Neil was initially appointed as interim Bournemouth boss (Getty Images)

Those results sparked a six-match unbeaten run that stabilised Bournemouth's position in the table with O'Neil nominated for the Premier League Manager of the Month in September. He was made permanent manager on an 18-month contract in November.

Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley explained: "Gary's achievement last season is one I will always be grateful for. This has been a difficult decision, but it has been made with great consideration to best position ourselves ahead of the coming season.

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"As a club, we have put plans in place for long-term success with improvements being made to infrastructure, most notably the development of a new state-of-the-art training facility and the ongoing discussions around upgrades to our stadium.

Parker was sacked by the Cherries in August after a nine-goal loss at Liverpool (Getty Images)

"We have also identified a number of significant targets in the transfer market this summer and believe this change in direction will provide us with the best platform from which to build.

"Gary will go on to have a long career as a head coach or manager, but we feel that, at this moment in time, a change is in the best interests of this football club. I would like to place on record my thanks to Gary and wish him all the best for the future."

O'Neil won 11 of his 37 matches in charge of Bournemouth, alongside six draws and 20 defeats. He completed his primary task of achieving Premier League survival and the club's decision to part ways with the boss has come as a surprise.

Colin Millar