O'Neil insists Bournemouth takeover is 'really exciting' as Foley 'wants to drive the club forward'

Head coach Gary O'Neil is excited about the new era of AFC Bournemouth following the takeover by American businessman Bill Foley.

Foley is the Managing Partner of Black Knight Football Club. They bought a majority stake in Bournemouth after ex-owner Maxim Demin decided to sell his 100% stake.

The new owner will take on the role of chairman and attend the Cherries' next home game against Crystal Palace on December 31.

Before that, the Cherries face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup fourth round and a Premier League trip to Chelsea on December 27, with Tuesday's game being the first since O'Neil was named permanent manager following of a temporary change in charge after Scott Parker. dismissal.

"It's exciting for everyone, a really exciting time for the club," O'Neil said in a pre-match press conference.

"Bill is committed and ambitious, he wants to take the club forward on and off the pitch. There is a lot of work to do of course, it doesn't happen overnight, but a very good time to be around Bournemouth, for staff, players and fans.

"This is my first experience as a permanent manager, so I'm sure there will be constant questions about your future, but I've just come out of a period where I was working week after week and there's no there was absolutely no certainty, so it's a slightly different situation.

"But the pressure won't change. I feel a lot of pressure to put the results on the board for the club and make sure we push towards our goal, which is to stay in the league and give a very good chance for may all the off-pitch stuff and development go smoothly while we're a Premier League club.”

O'Neil has made defender Lloyd Kelly available again through injury for the trip to St James' Park but will make a late decision on his squad after a virus spread among the players in the past 10 last days.

Kelly hasn't played since the 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest in early September after picking up an injury in training shortly after the match.

"Lloyd is back in full training now and we're delighted so he's available," O'Neil added.

"He did really well to come back so quickly and he trained well. He doesn't seem to have been absent, but he obviously needs some playing time.

"David Brooks and Neto are also back on the grass, but they're not in full training. Hopefully that shouldn't be too long.

"Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore also came back from the World Cup, so that was a nice aspect."

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