Gary O’Neil officially made Cherries head coach

Following a successful stint as caretaker manager for the Cherries, Gary O’Neil has now been given the head coach job permanently, with an 18-month initial contract and an option to extend for another year.

The board has been delighted with the impact O’Neil has had on the club, which started with a six-match unbeaten run (following three prior defeats) and a nomination for manager of the month in September. 

AFC Bournemouth Chief Executive, Neill Blake, said, “Gary did an excellent job on an interim basis and the board are delighted to make his position as head coach permanent. 

“We have been impressed with the way he has conducted himself from the moment he joined the club and feel he has earned this opportunity to continue to take the team and the club forward. 

“Gary has worked tirelessly and diligently on the training pitch and the players have responded by producing some excellent performances and results. 

“It was evident from the reception he received from our supporters following 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 39-year-old initally came to Bournemouth in February 2021 as first team coach and was part of the coaching staff when the Cherries regained their place in the Premier League last season. 

Since he took charge, the club has gained 13 points, with wins against Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Everton and draws against Wolves, Newcastle, Brentford and Fulham. 

O’Neil began coaching in August 2020 as assistant coach for Liverpool’s under-23s following an impressive playing career, with 240 of his 542 appearances in the Premier League for Portsmouth, Middlesborough, West Ham and Norwich City. In his final year, at Bolton, he was named player of the year. 

He has also been capped by his country at under-19, under-20 and under-21 level, and captained England at the 2003 FIFA Under-20 World Youth Championship. 

It's not just the board O’Neil has impressed; the players have been singing his praises, citing his man-management skills and ability to motivate the team as key to their recent success. 

Jordan Zemura, one of the younger players in the first team, said: “Gary’s doing a fantastic job... he’s been here for two seasons now and he’s a great person, great manager and great guy. He just gives us the freedom to embrace ourselves on the pitch, just gives us opportunities to play freely and just reminds us about the quality we have in the room.” 

And defender Ryan Fredericks spoke about O’Neil’s tactical ability, saying: “He sets us up differently for every game and every game it just seems to fall into place. Everything he’s saying to us in meetings and in training is exactly what’s happening in matches, so that gives us confidence. 

“Everyone treats him with respect, he treats the lads with respect and he’s a good man-manager as well as a good coach. 

“He’s in depth with what he says and he’s not just giving us information for no reason. Everything he says carries a lot of weight – we believe what he’s telling us and we trust it, and we’re trying to put it into place on the pitch.” 

The Cherries’ next game is against high-flying Newcastle, managed by former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, on 21 December in the Carabao Cup. 

By Emily McGregor, Local News and Lifestyle Reporter