BOURNEMOUTH have SACKED Gary O'Neil – despite him being a contender for manager of the season.
The Cherries made the stunning announcement despite the boss guiding them to Premier League safety and a 15th-placed finish.
Bournemouth ended the 2022-23 season four points clear of the relegation zone.
O'Neil took over from Scott Parker in August, initially as an interim.
He was then given the gig on the south coast on a permanent basis in November.
And his efforts saw many fans and pundits have O'Neil down as their top gaffer of the campaign for his efforts.
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But Bournemouth's owner and chairman Bill Foley explained the shock decision.
He said: "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.
"We have 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."
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The statement concludes that O'Neil's replacement will be announced "imminently" – implying the successor may well already be lined up by Bournemouth.
American billionaire Foley, who completed his takeover of Bournemouth in December, is planning to invest heavily in the playing squad this summer and wants a manager who can implement a new style of play during pre-season.
But fans on Twitter simply could not believe former Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and West Ham midfielder O'Neil had been dismissed – more than three weeks after the end of the season.
One said: "Not even a Bournemouth fan but that’s got to be a joke right?"
A second wrote: "What? He did so well considering you have the single worst team in the league."
Another commented: "That might be the worst decision I've seen from a football club in a long time…"
A fourth replied: "A legend in my eyes, overcame so much doubt (including myself regretfully) and kept us up. Thank you Gary!"
And a final user simply added: "Gobsmacked."
O'Neil won ten and drew six in the Premier League – but did lose the final five matches of the season, including the final three without scoring.
Bournemouth begin their 2023-24 campaign at home to West Ham on August 12.
That is followed by a brutal run of fixtures against Liverpool, Tottenham, Brentford, Chelsea, Brighton and Arsenal.
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