CHERRIES legend Steve Cook says Gary O’Neil has got Cherries “playing some outstanding stuff”, adding: “You could see that he was going to be a manager.”

Cook departed Cherries in January 2022 to join Nottingham Forest, having played almost 400 matches for the club.

His time on the south coast coincided with O’Neil’s arrival in February 2021, where he worked as a first-team coach under Jonathan Woodgate and then Scott Parker.

Following Parker’s dismissal in August 2022, O’Neil stepped into the top job, initially on an interim basis, before being handed the reins permanently in November.

In his 34 matches in charge, the 39-year-old has guided Cherries to 11 victories, which saw them effectively safe from Premier League relegation, with a month of the season to spare.

Discussing Cherries avoiding the drop, Cook told BBC Radio Solent: “I speak to Tommy (Elphick, assistant coach) regularly, daily. I was delighted for Gary himself and Shaun (Cooper).

“I think they’ve been unbelievable.

“I saw there was a bit of criticism towards Gaz at the start, but I think he’s proved those doubters incredibly wrong and I’m really pleased for him.

“He was a coach while I was at the club and you could see that he was going to be a manager.

“It probably surprised himself with getting a job so early, and especially it being a Premier League job. But what they have done is incredible.

“He’s inherited a very good squad and they added very cleverly in January and they’ve reaped the rewards. They are playing some outstanding stuff.”

Cook, who helped Cherries all the way up from League One into the Premier League, where they stayed for five seasons, added: “I think at Bournemouth, the successful managers are the ones that deal with difficulties.

“It’s engrained in the club’s history, the difficult times. When the club has got its back against the ropes, it comes out fighting and succeeds.

“I think Gaz has tapped into that. He knew what he wanted the team to be and I’m sure he’s painted the picture to the lads that everyone is against them, everyone thinks they’re doing.

“I think you’re seeing the hunger on the pitch from those players as well.

“Fair play to him and the players there. They’ve proved everyone wrong and it doesn’t surprise me, to be honest. Because we did it every year when I was at the club all those years ago.

“There’s no real surprise with where the club have got to now and I think it’s going to look extremely better going forwards, especially with the new owner willing to invest good money into the team as well.”