Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil lists Steven Gerrard’s former assistant Neil Critchley as No2 if he gets a permanent role

GARY O’NEIL wants to make Neil Critchley his right-hand man if he gets the job at Bournemouth.

O’Neil is still hoping the new owner will keep him in charge of the Cherries as they fight to keep the Premier League safe.

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And the interim boss has hired highly-rated coach Critchley as a new signing should he get the job.

Ironically, it was Critchley and O’Neil who were associated with and rivals for the vacancy at Luton.

Instead, they might end up working together.

Critchley is unemployed after leaving Aston Villa where he was Steven Gerrard’s assistant.

He was previously Blackpool boss but may be tempted to stay on as an assistant.

During his tenure with The Seasiders, Critchley advanced to the championship in his first full season.

They finished third in the 2020/21 League One regular season and won promotion via the play-offs.

He left Blackpool last summer to become Gerrard’s new assistant after Michael Beale left the Liverpool legend to take the managerial position at Queen’s Park Rangers.

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Meanwhile, O’Neil has seen Bournemouth rocket to 14th from the relegation zone.

After replacing Scott Parker at the top of the Cherries, he has amassed 16 points from a possible 36 – four wins and four draws from 12 games.