Bournemouth have sacked head coach Scott Parker just four games into the new season as owner Maxim Demin called for “respect for one another” at the club.
Parker left Fulham and took charge of Bournemouth 14 months ago, guiding them to promotion to the Premier League behind his former club last season.
Bournemouth were beaten 9-0 by Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, with Parker making no secret of his frustration following the result – describing his team as ‘ill-equipped’ to compete at this level.
Bournemouth co-owner Maxim Demin said in a statement: “I would like to place on record my gratitude to Scott and his team for their efforts during their time with us. 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.”
Gary O’Neil takes interim charge of the team and will be assisted by Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick. The Cherries are 16th in the Premier League table and host Wolves on Wednesday night.
Parker is the earliest Premier League sacking since Paul Sturrock was dismissed by Southampton in August 2004.
So far this summer, Bournemouth have signed Marcus Tavernier from Middlesbrough and Marcos Senesi from Feyenoord alongside the free transfers of Ryan Fredericks, Joe Rothwell and Neto.
Parker was left rocked by that 9-0 result at Anfield, calling his team “underequipped” in order to compete at Premier League level.
“This is the toughest day as a player and certainly as a coach,” Parker said. “This is the toughest and most painful day that I have experienced, for sure.
“It goes without saying it’s a real humbling experience and one which was pretty shell-shocking, really, in the sense of the result.
“And probably not surprised so much, to be honest with you, in the sense of the levels we’re playing against here and the quality is just far greater than what we have in this present moment in time at our disposal.
“But at this present moment in time I feel sorry for the fans, I feel sorry for the players, to be honest with you, because at the moment we are just a bit under equipped at this level from where we have come from.” (Sky)