Former Portsmouth favourite Gary O'Neil joins Bournemouth coaching set-up

Former Pompey midfielder Gary O’Neil has joined the coaching staff at Bournemouth.
Former Pompey favourite Gary O'NeilFormer Pompey favourite Gary O'Neil
Former Pompey favourite Gary O'Neil

It’s been confirmed that the 37-year-old has left his role with Liverpool’s under-23s to become senior first-team coach at the Vitality Stadium.

The one-time Fratton favourite was only appointed to the coaching ranks at the Anfield outfit in August 2020.

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However, he leaves the current Premier League champions to work under Jonathan Woodgate, who is the new head coach of the Cherries and a former Middlesbrough team-mate of O’Neil’s.

The move could see the former Blue link up once again with one-time boss Harry Redknapp, whom O’Neil worked under at Fratton Park.

The duo help Pompey win the First Division title in 2003 and were part of the Blues set-up that pulled off the Great Escape in the 2005-06 Premier League season.

Redknapp has been asked to help out at the Championship outfit, although is not joining in an official capacity.

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O’Neil made 193 appearances for Pompey and scored 17 times before his departure for Middlesbrough in August 2007.

Woodgate said he was looking forward to working with his new appointment.

Speaking to the Bournemouth website, he said: ‘I’ve known Gary for a number of years, having played with him at Middlesbrough.

‘He comes highly recommended from Liverpool and has a great knowledge of the game and an appetite to never stop learning.

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‘Gary is going to bring something different to the coaching staff. He’s a new voice to the players, someone who has no connection to Bournemouth and I believe that an outside pair of eyes are important for us.

‘I’m really looking forward to Gary joining our staff.’

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