Bournemouth have reportedly settled on appointing Gary O'Neil as the club's new permanent manager.
Since Scott Parker was removed from his position in the dugout at the end of August, O'Neil has been tasked with steadying the ship at the Vitality Stadium.
The former midfielder, who has never held a full-time managerial role, has produced results far better than anticipated on the back of a 9-0 defeat at Liverpool under his predecessor.
O'Neil went into the World Cup possessing a record of four wins, four draws and four defeats from his 12 matches in all competitions.
However, there has been persistent speculation regarding an outside appointment with former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa said to have held talks with the club's hierarchy.
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Given the difference in their respective experience at this level, bringing in the veteran Argentine would have been regarded as a significant coup by the Cherries.
Nevertheless, according to The Telegraph, negotiations with Bielsa are said to have broken down, leading to Bournemouth placing faith in O'Neil.
Discussions behind the scenes have taken place with the expectation that Bill Foley, an American businessman, will soon complete a takeover of the South Coast outfit.
Foley has allegedly been left impressed with the 39-year-old, that suggestion first being made after O'Neil's initial six-match unbeaten start.
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Since then, Bournemouth have suffered defeat to West Ham United in controversial circumstances and lost from winning positions against Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United.
However, a four-game losing streak was ended by successive victories over Everton in the EFL Cup and Premier League respectively, both in emphatic style.
After the 4-1 success in the cup, Bournemouth prevailed 3-0 in the top flight, moving three points clear of the relegation zone.
Bournemouth face back-to-back away games at Newcastle United and Chelsea after the World Cup, the first trip coming in the EFL Cup on December 21.
Darren Plant
