AFC Bournemouth are reportedly ‘set to confirm’ the appointment of their new permanent manager with a sudden twist coming to light.
The Cherries talks with ex-Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa have seemingly collapsed, sources have told Football Insider, and after recent results prior to the World Cup break, they are now set to appoint Gary O’Neil on a permanent basis after a three-month spell in caretaker charge, with O’Neil hoping to make Neil Critchley his right-hand man.
Bournemouth had been in advanced talks with the 67 year old Argentine following extensive negotiations, going so far as to offer the job to him, leaving some surprised this deal was so close to happening.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE! 🚨
– Bournemouth talks with Marcelo Bielsa have collapsed following extensive negotiations, we are told. ❌
– Cherries now set to appoint interim boss Gary O’Neil as the new permanent manager. ✅
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) November 21, 2022
However the south-coast club have been unable to reach a full agreement with him, who is renowned as a tough negotiator and now they ave given up on their pursuit and are now poised to give O’Neil the job on a full-time basis.
The 39-year-old has been in interim charge ever since Scott Parker was given the boot back in late August, just a few matches after guiding the club to promotion.
Bournemouth went six games unbeaten under temporary boss O’Neil but also suffered four consecutive league losses before beating Everton 3-0 before the mid-season break.
That left the them 14th in the Premier League, but only three points above the relegation zone.
Bielsa, who has previously managed the Argentina and Chile national teams, is a fan favourite at Leeds, who he guided the Premier League after a 16-year absence in July 2020, and managed them for four years before he was sacked in February, a decision that left the Elland Road faithful divided.
Leeds had been renowned for their unique attacking style and fitness during Bielsa’s time in charge, though there was also criticism of the team being too open and easy for top Premier League sides to attack and that called time ion his stay following a streak of four consecutive losses across which Leeds conceded 17 goals. Jesse Marsch came in the great escape happened and they survived right at the brink.
Gary O’Neil says he’s “honoured and delighted” to still be in charge of Bournemouth. 🍒 pic.twitter.com/yOdFjvsnpz
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 29, 2022
This is how fans, mostly of Leeds, reacted as Bournemouth get ‘set to confirm’ the appointment of their new permanent manager with a sudden twist thrown during talks…
@bethgabriel_: Secretly pleased about this 😂
@KevBillo: Amazing news
@mary_farnell: Me too. Wetherby is simply far too far for him to commute to Bournemouth! 😉
@amo_a_los_Leeds: Bet he thought “that’s like going from Leeds United to the Nags Head, fuck that”
@sanger1202: Bielsa is a humble gracious bloke. I said all along he’s the type to sit and listen to all ends of conversations but then decline due to links with Leeds or something. He refused a job because it was in the same league as his beloved Newell’s where he was worshipped
@mikelewis784: Must admit, mixed emotions. Love the guy and didn’t want to have to have to face him (well, not me personally) #ALAW #MOT
@mightywhitesfc: Thank god for that!
@chriswyatt95: Wow feel bad for bournemouth jesus bielsa wouldve changed them for the better
@ABCaudioworks: A wry smiles crossing my face
@RyanThackray: It’s a long walk from Wetherby to Bournemouth every day.
@DanielleB141: Best day everrrrrr
@CJAFCB: #afcb How typically tinpot of us. The lack of ambition at this club is frightening at times.
@annab61324: PTL! I can breathe again! I really hope the right job comes up for him in Europe somewhere. It would have been too much, too soon having him back in the premier league and not with us but I want him to be happy and successful again. #bielsa
@simonovingham: This makes me very happy
@AFCBtacticos: OH ffs…
@reallordgreen: HAHAHAHA WHAT A DAY
@PenaCartel: Bielsa madness would be class if we didn’t have a squad full of old guys/injured guys
@simamuofficial: Some good news at last
@LeedsUnited_MAD: What a surprise. O’Neil was always the only choice!
@ParkinMr: He’s coming home!! #lufc
@MrGallagher15: …and breathe. #LUFC
@foreverayellow: was very surprised when it came out that bielsa was in talks with them, but just couldnt see it happening, o’neil right choice imo
Extensive negotiations being – fancy Bournemouth? pic.twitter.com/qOmNQ7QoaM
— FatBob_v2 (@FatBob0_v2) November 21, 2022
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