Gary O’Neil has been made permanent manager of Bournemouth after a positive start to life on the south coast.
During the three months in charge of Bournemouth since Scott Parkers dismissal, he has been nominated for Premier League Manager of the Month for September, had a run of six games unbeaten between the end of August and mid-October, and has managed to take points from in-form side Newcastle United. He also managed to win a thrilling 3-2 comeback against Nottingham Forest in September.
O’Neil began his managerial career with Liverpool’s under-23 squad as the assistant manager. He joined the Reds in 2020, and departed Merseyside for the south coast in February 2021, when he took the role of senior first team coach of AFC Bournemouth, where Jonathan Woodgate was the current manager of the club. In his first full season working with Bournemouth, then managed by Scott Parker, the Cherries got promoted back to the Premier League after their last relegation in 2020.
But after just four games in the league, and following a 9-0 loss to Liverpool, Parker was dismissed of his duties and O’Neil took over as caretaker boss. In his first month in charge, he remained unbeaten and was nominated for Premier League manager of the month for September.
Also in September, his side were two goals down against Nottingham Forest, but an inspired second half comeback inspired his side, and they went on to score three goals, getting the third just minutes before the end of the game to win 3-2 and earning O’Neil’s first win as caretaker manager.
When he took over as caretaker, the side were in 17th, one point away from the drop zone. Now they sit in 14th place, and he has picked up 13 points from his 11 games in charge, earning him the job on a permanent deal, which will run through until the end of the 2023/24 season.