Marcelo Bielsa is favourite to be Bournemouth’s next permanent manager but O’Neil could not have done any more since taking the job
Four wins, four draws and four defeats: that is Gary O’Neil’s record since taking over as Bournemouth’s interim manager after Scott Parker was sacked in August.
If Bill Foley, the club’s prospective new owner, has negotiated a deal to make Marcelo Bielsa the club’s next permanent manager then O’Neil’s wish to begin his own career in management will surely be granted after so impressively steering the Cherries towards mid-table before the World Cup break – even if it is not on the South Coast.
A decision is likely to be made in the coming days but for Frank Lampard, who has now suffered six defeats in eight games, the next month will not be a relaxing one, with the away fans at The Vitality Stadium jeering each of his substitutions and booing the team off at full time.
At the final whistle there were angry exchanges between Alex Iwobi and a section of the Everton supporters with Seamus Coleman and Jordan Pickford rushing to drag him away.