Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Bournemouth, Football, Premier League
Rory O'Callaghan
Bournemouth have sacked manager Gary O'Neil in an announcement which has stunned many.
O'Neil, 40, was named caretaker manager of the Cherries early on last season when former manager Scott Parker was dismissed in the wake of a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool.
After overseeing an upturn in form, O'Neil was appointed permanent manager of Bournemouth on an 18-month deal in November.
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He would go on to help Bournemouth avoid relegation from the Premier League, with the club securing their safety with several games to spare.
But in a shock move, Bournemouth announced on Monday that they have parted ways with O'Neil, just weeks after their top-flight status was guaranteed for another season.
Bournemouth appear to have a replacement lined up, with the club statement adding that an announcement is 'imminent'. So who are the favourites to succeed O'Neil at the Vitality Stadium?
Andoni Iraola - 4/6
Former Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola is the current favourite to replace O'Neil at Bournemouth, according to Sky Bet.
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Iraola is currently without a club after leaving the Spanish side at the end of the season.
He guided Rayo to 12th and 11th place finishes in La Liga, while they also reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey last term.
A former Spain international, Basque coach Iraola has also been linked with the managerial vacancy at Leeds United.
Graham Potter - 5/2
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Former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter is also among the favourites to succeed O'Neil.
He has been without a role since he was sacked by the Blues in April in his first season at Stamford Bridge.
Potter's temporary replacement Frank Lampard failed to improve results and Potter's reputation remains high, having impressed with another south coast club - Brighton - prior to his move to Chelsea.
Jesse Marsch - 6/1
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Former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch is also without a role having been sacked by the Yorkshire club in February.
That move failed to pay off as Leeds were relegated to the Championship on the final day of the season.
Marsch is an experienced manager, having previously coached Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls in MLS before taking charge of Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig in Europe prior to joining Leeds in 2022.
He guided the club to Premier League safety in his first season at Elland Road but was dismissed midway through his second campaign with the team 17th in the table.
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The rest of the pack
Kjetil Knutsen – 12/1
Nuno Espirito Santo – 12/1
Steven Gerrard – 12/1
Tommy Elphick – 14/1
Carlos Corberan – 16/1
Patrick Vieira – 16/1
Michael Carrick – 20/1