Bournemouth Sack Gary O'Neil After 37 Games Despite Premier League Survival, Announce His Replacement

O'Neil ensured that the team finishes 15th on the points table, five points clear of the relegation zone but AFC Bournemouth has decided to part ways with him.

Gary O'Neil gestures during the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park on May 28, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

In a news that could come as a shock to a section of the football fans, Bournemouth have decided to show the exit door to their manager Gary O'Neil. The decision could raise a few eyebrows especially because he had only been given 37 games at the helm of affairs and did not do much poorly, even ensuring a Premier League survival for the club. In fact, in a way, O’Neill even surpassed some of the expectations from him since the club had only recently been promoted. 

He had taken over the reigns from Scott Parker in August last year. Eventually, O'Neil ensured that the team finishes 15th on the points table, five points clear of the relegation zone. It is pertinent to note that this was the first senior managerial role that had come O Neil's way. Initially, this was only a role that was given to him on an interim basis after Parker's sacking post a 9-0 loss of the side against Liverpool.

It was a slow but steady start for O'Neil whose first two matches in charge were goalless draws before he tasted his maiden win as the manger which was a home game against Nottingham Forest. 

We can confirm that we’ve parted company with head coach Gary O'Neil.

We’d like to place on record our thanks to Gary and wish him all the best for the future.

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) June 19, 2023

"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," AFC Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley said while explaining the decision.

"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," he added.

Meanwhile, the club has announced Andoni Iraola as the club's new head coach.

"We're so excited to welcome Andoni to the club," Foley said. 

"With his contract in Spain coming to an end this summer we wanted to act quickly. He was highly sought after by other clubs across the continent, and his style of play has been an important factor in making this decision. His achievements in Spain have certainly been very impressive, and we're confident that he is the right man to lead our next chapter," he added.