GARY O'Neil thanked Cherries fans for the support they showed him towards the end of Saturday's thumping 3-0 win over Everton, adding: "They're massive to us here."

O'Neil's future is up in the air, with the club expected to make a decision on whether to offer the interim head coach the role on a more permanent basis, or look elsewhere during the upcoming six-week break for the World Cup.

Cherries are not due in action again until the week commencing December 19.

Former Portsmouth midfielder O'Neil, previously a coach under ex-boss Scott Parker, has taken charge of 12 games as interim boss.

He has overseen four wins, four draws and four defeats from his time in charge, with Cherries now sitting 13th in the Premier League table, three points clear of the relegation zone.

Towards the end of the contest with the Toffees, fans around Vitality Stadium were singing O'Neil's name, and the 39-year-old reciprocated at full-time, making his way around the ground to applaud supporters.

"I wanted to show my appreciation," O'Neil told the Daily Echo.

"I’ve said it since day one – they’re massive to us here, they are. Because we will be underdogs in most of the games.

"And when an interim head coach is put in charge, it’s important that the fans stick with it.

"They’ve been through some tough moments with us. Obviously in the last few weeks some tough results, tough situations.

"They’ve just stuck with us the whole time.

"I just wanted to thank them really for being incredible for the boys and helping the boys get through some sticky moments and hopefully they enjoyed (Saturday)."