HARRY Redknapp reserved special praise for Cherries boss Gary O’Neil as he pondered his manager of the season selection, insisting: “Not many could have gone in and achieved what Gary did.”

Former Cherries player and boss Redknapp took charge of more than 450 games for the club, before going on to manage the likes of West Ham United, Portsmouth, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League across his 33-year coaching career.

The 76-year-old is a regular at Vitality Stadium, and managed O’Neil as a player during the pair’s time at both Pompey and Queens Park Rangers.

Redknapp eventually went on to name Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe as his Premier League manager of the season, but gave mention to both O’Neil and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi.

In his role as brand ambassador for BetVictor, Redknapp said: “Gary O’Neil has done brilliantly at Bournemouth; I’m delighted for him and the club.

“It was a really difficult start to the season for Bournemouth and he was thrown into the deep end after Scott Parker left.

“He stuck in though and managed to improve this side, particularly at the back.

“For Bournemouth to stay up pretty comfortably in the end is a brilliant achievement and he definitely has to be one of the managers of the season.

“Trust me, not many could have gone in and achieved what Gary did this year.”

O’Neil’s men finished 15th in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.