Bournemouth part company with manager Gary O'Neil

Bournemouth have parted company with manager Gary O'Neil despite him leading them to Premier League survival last season, with a new boss to be announced "imminently".

The 40-year-old took the reins at the Vitality Stadium in August last year following a poor start to the season for Bournemouth under Scott Parker, which included a record 9-0 defeat to Liverpool.

O'Neil initially took over on an interim basis, but was appointed as permanent head coach during the World Cup break in November.

The Englishman went on to oversee 37 games in charge of the Cherries, winning 11 of those and drawing six to help Bournemouth steer clear of relegation and secure their place in the Premier League for another season.

Bournemouth ended the campaign in 15th place, five points clear of the relegation zone, but they have now decided to sack O'Neil "to best position ourselves ahead of the coming season".

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"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," read a statement from Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley.

"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."

Bournemouth's new boss will open their 2023-24 Premier League campaign against West Ham United at home on August 12.