Bournemouth: Arsenal legend questions 'shocking' Gary O'Neil sack

Arsenal legend Martin Keown can’t believe AFC Bournemouth have sacked their manager Gary O’Neil. 

Keown has reacted to the shocking decision to sack the manager who saved the club from relegation last season. 

Pulse Sports Nigeria reported earlier on Monday that the Cherries had parted ways with their manager as part of preparations for next season. 

According to the club, the decision to let O’Neil leave was reached because the club had prepared for life after him as they look to the future. 

“This has been a difficult decision, but it has been made with great consideration to best position ourselves ahead of the coming season,” the club chairman said in a statement. 

However, former Premier League defender Keown was left shocked and has questioned the rationale behind it. 

 “Maybe there’s a bigger name coming to the club,” Keown said per TalkSport. “Maybe there’s somebody who is out of work right now who has come available, they’ve identified him and facilitated this news.

“This is quite a shock, but it might be because somebody special has come to the table. It looks like they don’t believe O’Neil is the man to take them forward.”

O’Neil started his journey at the Vitality Stadium on an interim basis following the sacking of Scott Parker early last season. 

He was named as the club’s permanent manager, as decision that paid off as he ensured the Cherries preserved their Premier League status despite a difficult start. 

O’Neil won 10 matches and drew six as Bournemouth finished 15th in the Premier League last season.