CHERRIES chairman Bill Foley described the decision to sack Gary O'Neil as "difficult", but added: "It has been made with great consideration to best position ourselves."

O'Neil was under contract until 2025 having successfully kept Cherries in the Premier League last season.

But the 40-year-old has now been relieved of his duties, with a new boss lined up to take over later today.

LIVE: Cherries sack Gary O'Neil with new boss to be announced today

Discussing the decision to sack O'Neil, Foley, who took ownership of the club in December, said: "Gary's achievement last season is one I will always be grateful for. This has been a difficult decision, but it has been made with great consideration to best position ourselves ahead of the coming season.

"As a club, we have put plans in place for long-term success with improvements being made to infrastructure, most notably the development of a new state-of-the-art training facility and the ongoing discussions around upgrades to our stadium.

"We have also identified a number of significant targets in the transfer market this summer and believe this change in direction will provide us with the best platform from which to build.

"Gary will go on to have a long career as a head coach or manager, but we feel that, at this moment in time, a change is in the best interests of this football club.

"I would like to place on record my thanks to Gary and wish him all the best for the future."