Bournemouth sack manager Gary O'Neil

Bournemouth have confirmed the sacking of Gary O’Neil.

The 40-year-old initially took charge of Bournemouth last August after Scott Parker was sacked and was handed an 18-month deal in November to become the club’s permanent manager.

Under O’Neil’s guidance, Bournemouth managed to avoid relegation from the Premier League last season and ended up finishing 15th, five points above the drop zone.

However, Bournemouth’s hierarchy have now opted to ‘part company’ with O’Neil ahead of the new Premier League campaign, which begins against West Ham on August 12.

Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley said: ‘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.

‘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.

‘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.’

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