AFC Bournemouth interim boss Gary O'Neil says he has "huge respect" for Marcelo Bielsa amid reports linking the Argentine with the managerial vacancy at Dean Court.
The former Leeds United boss has been in talks with the Cherries and is favourite to permanently succeed Scott Parker on the South Coast.
Gary O'Neil has been in caretaker charge since Parker's sacking in August and has enjoyed mixed results in the managerial hotseat. He went unbeaten in his first six matches, before losing four games on the spin.
However, the Cherries have registered back-to-back victories over Everton in the past week - winning 4-1 in the EFL Cup and 3-0 in the Premier League respectively.
Although O'Neil refused to comment on the speculation surrounding the managerial vacancy at Bournemouth, the former Middlesbrough midfielder did reveal his admiration for Bielsa.
"Huge respect," O'Neil revealed (via Dorset Live). "There's been noise for the last couple of days. Huge respect for Marcelo Bielsa and what he's achieved.
"His reputation and the work he's done is fantastic. I'm sure if Marcelo Bielsa was to come to Bournemouth he'd do a very good job."
Bill Foley's takeover at Bournemouth is expected to be sealed over the coming weeks, and addressing the managerial situation is high on his list of priorities.
Bielsa has been out of work since his sacking at Leeds in February after almost four years at Elland Road. The 67-year-old ended the Whites' 16-year absence from the Premier League by famously leading them to the Championship title in 2020.
He then went on to guide Leeds to an impressive ninth-place finish upon their return to the English top flight. Bielsa has enjoyed a nomadic yet decorated managerial career, leading a number of high-profile European clubs, such as Athletic Bilbao, Marseille and Lazio.
The Argentine managed his nation for six years and reached the Copa America final in 2004 and had a stint in charge of the Chile national team. He also finished runners-up in the Copa del Rey and UEFA Europa League finals at Athletic Bilbao in 2012, and won three Argentinian titles with Newell's Old Boys and Velez Sarsfield respectively.
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