Soccer-Bournemouth appoint Iraola as manager after sacking O'Neil

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Chelsea - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - May 6, 2023 AFC Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil before the match REUTERS/Ian Walton/File Photo.

(Reuters) -Bournemouth have appointed Spaniard Andoni Iraola as head coach on a two-year contract, hours after sacking Gary O'Neil, the Premier League club said in a statement on Monday.

O'Neil helped Bournemouth secure their top-flight survival last season, steering them to a 15th-placed finish in the league after taking over from Scott Parker, but their form trailed off towards the end of the campaign.