Parker becomes the first boss to lose his job in the new season, with the newly promoted club 17th in the table. ‘Our search for a new head coach will begin immediately,’ owner Maxime Demin says in a statement.
Scott Parker has become the first Premier League manager to be sacked in the new season, following Bournemouth’s disastrous 9-0 defeat by Liverpool last weekend.
The Cherries were humiliated at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, suffering the joint-heaviest defeat in Premier League history. The club’s third loss in a row left them 17th in the table.
Gary O’Neil will take interim charge of the team and will be assisted by Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick, a statement on Bournemouth’s official website said.
“I would like to place on record my gratitude to Scott and his team for their efforts during their time with us,” the club’s owner Maxim Demin said.
“Our promotion back to the Premier League last season under his tenure will always be remembered as one of the most successful seasons in our history.
“However, in order for us to keep progressing as a team and a club as a whole, it is unconditional that we are aligned in our strategy to run the club sustainably. We must also show belief in and respect for one another.
“That is the approach that has brought this club so much success in recent history, and one that we will not veer from now. Our search for a new head coach will begin immediately.”
Former Tottenham and England midfielder Parker oversaw Bournemouth’s promotion to the top flight from the Championship, and guided them to a 2-0 home win against Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the season.
But they went on to loss 4-0 at champions Manchester City, and 3-0 loss at home to top-of-the-table Arsenal before their thrashing by Jurgen Klopp’s League Cup and FA Cup holders.
“This is the toughest and most painful day I have experienced for sure,” said on Saturday evening. “The touchline today was painful and I could sense it was for the players too. They need some help and in some moments the levels were too great.
“It was a really humbling experience, shell-shocking. The levels we are playing against and the quality they have is far greater than what we have at our disposal at this moment in time. I feel sorry for the fans and for the players.
“Tonight will be a long, sleepless night reflecting and a difficult one to process. We are learning really harsh lessons which at times are unfair.
“We don’t just talk about Liverpool or the two previous fixtures, this division is ruthless. It can leave some scars, the experiences they are facing. Painful, absolutely painful and Liverpool were ruthless.”
Parker was then asked if the loss would be Bournemouth’s lowest point in their season.
“At this moment in time, where we currently are, I can see some more to be honest with you,” he said.
There have been three other 9-0 wins in the 30-year history of the Premier League. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton have been on the receiving end twice, losing to Manchester United at Old Trafford in February 2021 and Leicester at home in October 2019.
United also beat Ipswich Town under Alex Ferguson by the same score in March 1995.
