CHERRIES chief executive Neill Blake has explained why the club opted to make Gary O'Neil their new head coach, insisting: "We have been impressed with the way he has conducted himself."

O'Neil, 39, was thrust into his first head coach role on an interim basis when Scott Parker was sacked in August.

He galvanised a side which had just lost convincingly three league games on the trot, embarking on a six-match unbeaten streak.

A string of four defeats on the bounce followed, before back-to-back big wins over Everton at Vitality Stadium, prior to the international break.

Experienced boss Marcelo Bielsa was heavily linked with the job in recent weeks, but Cherries have opted to keep O'Neil in his post, tying him down to a deal until at least the summer of 2024.

"Gary did an excellent job on an interim basis and the board are delighted to make his position as head coach permanent," Blake told Cherries' website.

"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."