INTERIM Cherries boss Gary O’Neil insisted he had taken “little bits” from managers he had played under but insisted: “I’ve got my own thoughts and beliefs.” As a player, the 39-year-old featured 214 times in the Premier League, in spells at Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, West Ham and Norwich. As well as sealing three promotions from the Championship, O’Neil also played nine times for England at under-21 level. Asked about the managers he worked with during his playing career,
Gary O Neil said: “I’ve taken little bits probably from everyone. I’m not sure which bits and which bits I haven’t. But I’ve worked under some real good managers. Harry Redknapp, Sam Allardyce, even Alex Neil later on in my career was very good. So, I’ve worked under some good managers, tried to take some bits with me. I’ve been studying this coaching side for a long time now as well and I’ve got my own thoughts and beliefs on what needs to be done. I’m very, very fortunate to have had such a good playing career, working under some good guys and taken some bits with me.”
At the time of writing O’Neil was priced as a 2/1 second favourite to get the Cherries job on a full-time basis, behind ex-Burnley manager Sean Dyche.
