Bournemouth appoint Andoni Iraola as new manager just two hours after brutally axing Gary O’Neil

BOURNEMOUTH have appointed Andoni Iraola as their new manager just two-and-a-half hours after brutally sacking Gary O’Neil.

The Spaniard, who turned down a move to Leeds earlier this year, has signed a two-year deal with the Cherries.

O’Neil was informed of the shock decision to sack him early on Monday morning, with the news coming as a huge shock to many at the club.

The former Norwich man guided the Cherries to safety after replacing Scott Parker.

But American owner Bill Foley announced out of the blue that he wanted to take the club in a new direction, with a new high-octane style under Iraola.

The former Rayo Vallecano boss, who left the Spanish club at the end of the season, was approached by the Cherries and Leeds during the campaign but did not want to move during a season.

Explaining the shock decision to sack O’Neil, Foley 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.

“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.

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“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.”

American billionaire Foley, who completed his takeover of Bournemouth in December, is planning to invest heavily in the playing squad this summer and wants to give Iraola time to implement his style during pre-season.

Following the announcement of Iraola as their new boss, Foley said: “We’re so excited to welcome Andoni to the club. With his contract in Spain coming to an end this summer we wanted to act quickly.

“He was highly sought after by other clubs across the continent, and his style of play has been an important factor in making this decision.

“His achievements in Spain have certainly been very impressive, and we’re confident that he is the right man to lead our next chapter.

“We have identified a number of targets in the transfer market, which along with our January additions will supplement our strong playing squad to give Andoni the best chance to consolidate our Premier League status and keep progressing.”

Andoni will take charge of the south coast outfit at the start of July when the players return for pre-season training.

He will take the squad on a warm-weather training camp in Marbella.

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