Cherries give Gary the gig

BOURNEMOUTH have confirmed the appointment of Gary O’neil as their manager on a permanent basis.

O’neil (above) has agreed terms on an initial one-and-a-half year deal with the option of a further 12-month extension. The 39-year-old had been in temporary charge since Scott Parker was sacked in August.

O’neil has overseen 11 Premier League matches in that time, with the Cherries claiming two wins and four draws from the first six, then suffering four straight defeats before bouncing back with a 3-0 victory over Everton just before the World Cup.

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.”