AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth have announced the appointment of Gary O’Neil as head coach, following a successful interim period.
O’Neil had taken charge of 12 games this season, winning four and drawing four, earning plaudits across the footballing world.
Here's some of the things that have been said about O’Neil…
RYAN FREDERICKS
Cherries defender Ryan Fredericks have been effusive in his praise of O’Neil, highlighting his tactical ability in particular.
The experienced full-back said: “He sets us up differently for every game and every game it just seems to fall into place. Everything he's saying to us in meetings and in training is exactly what's happening in the matches, so that gives us confidence.
“Everyone treats him with respect, he treats the lads with respect and he's a good man-manager as well as a good coach.
“He's in-depth with what he says and he's not just giving us information for no reason. Everything he says carries a lot of weight – we believe what he's telling us and we trust it, and we're trying to put it into place on the pitch.”
DOMINIC SOLANKE
The Cherries forward has been in fine form under Gary O’Neil, scoring three goals and assisting three more.
Speaking about the impact O’Neil has made on the team, Solanke revealed he’s enjoyed working with the new head coach.
He said: “We all know Gary really well. He has been with us for a while now and you can see how well we are doing on the pitch under him.
“He has got our respect and if that’s the case (that he gets the job) we will be more than happy.”
JORDAN ZEMURA
One of the younger members of the first team, Zemura has adapted to life in the top flight well this season.
He's labelled the man management of O’Neil as one of his biggest strengths, bringing belief to the Cherries squad.
“Gary’s doing a fantastic job,’ he emphasised.
“He’s been here for two seasons now and he’s a great person, great manager and great guy.
“He just gives us the freedom to embrace ourselves on the pitch, just gives us opportunities to play freely and just reminds us about the quality we have in the room.”
RYAN CHRISTIE
Scotland international Christie reiterated Zemura’s point that O’Neil had galvanised the team during his time as interim head coach.
He commented: ““He has kind of stepped into that position flawlessly and it shows with the results he’s got – I can’t fault him.
“The game plans he set up have worked down to a tee – that gives you confidence from him on the touchline.
“Even in-game, he’s made tweaks. The Forest game he comes at half-time, changes it, we got a result.
“He has kind of really shown, for somebody that you would say with little experience stepping in, he has got some big results for us, and the players are definitely playing for him.”
RALPH HASENHUTTL
The praise for O’Neil hasn’t just come from Cherries players but from opposition managers.
Ralph Hasenhuttl, who was Southampton manager at the time of speaking, had revealed that O’Neil’s work had really impressed him.
He said: “He’s done an absolutely incredible job. I know how tough it is to stay unbeaten in the Premier League.
“He took everything from the bottom if you want. I know how it feels when you lose high and then have to turn things around.
“He didn’t lose that high – he was immediately following and had the chance to build up a team.
“I think you could see that he found immediately a very successful way of playing football with a very clear, demanding shape – clear automatism, what is for me always a sign of a manager who knows what he does and brings in immediately what is necessary.
“This is very impressive to watch.”
HARRY KANE
England captain Harry Kane has played under some of the most successful managers in the game but singled out O’Neil’s work when he visited Vitality Stadium earlier this season.
Kane said: “He’s done great, credit to him obviously coming in.
"The Premier League is tough, you are playing great opposition every week.
“They are going to come up against some good teams but they have been doing well this season, so fair play to them.”
