Bournemouth have confirmed former Norwich City midfielder Gary O'Neil as their permanent head coach, after a succesful spell as caretaker.

O'Neil had been promoted from his first-team coach role to the temporary honour late in August, after a worrying start to the Premier League season culminated in a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool under Scott Parker.

The Cherries went on a six-match unbeaten run to kick off O'Neil's time in charge, before four straight defeats and a 4-1 win over Everton left them 14th in the table going into the World Cup break.

That led to calls for the 39-year-old to be given the job on a permanent basis, a decision Bournemouth confirmed today.

He's signed an 18-month deal, with Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake saying: "Gary did an excellent job on an interim basis and the board are delighted to make his position as head coach permanent.

"We have been impressed with the way he has conducted himself from the moment he joined the club and feel he has earned this opportunity to continue to take the team and the club forward.

"Gary has worked tirelessly and diligently on the training pitch and the players have responded by producing some excellent performances and results.

"It was evident from the reception he received from our supporters following the Premier League win against Everton that they have also appreciated his efforts and we are all looking forward to continuing our working relationship with him."

O'Neil signed for Norwich under Neil Adams in 2014, going on to become a key figure as Alex Neil attempted to secure top flight safety a year later. He left the club upon the expiration of his contract in 2016, having played 59 times for the Canaries.

He then played for Bristol City and Bolton Wanderers, retiring in 2019 after a career that included time at QPR, West Ham and Portsmouth.

He started as a coach at Liverpool, where he was under-23s manager Barry Lewtas' assistant. He moved to Bournemouth to join Jonathan Woodgate in 2021, remaining at the club after Woodgate was replaced by Parker.