Dean Holden has backed Gary O’Neil for the permanent managerial position at Premier League Bournemouth.

O’Neil is currently in the hot seat on an interim basis following Scott Parker’s sacking from the South coast club.

The 39-year-old scored three goals in 31 appearances for the Whites and was named their Player of the Year during the 2018/19 Championship campaign.

He also had a spell as Under-23 assistant boss at Liverpool before making the move to Bournemouth around 18 months ago, initially to take up the role of first-team coach.

The Cherries have picked up four points from fixtures against Wolves and Nottingham Forest since Parker’s departure and currently sit 13th in the Premier League table.

Holden, who began his own playing career at Wanderers before going on to have spells with Oldham and Peterborough among others, coached O’Neil at Bristol City.

The former Bolton man reckons Bournemouth should seriously consider making the appointment permanent.

Holden wrote on his Twitter page: “Really hope Gary O'Neil gets the opportunity on a full time basis at AFC Bournemouth.

“Getting to know him whilst he was a player at Bristol City, you could see he had what it takes to become a top manager."

Holden recently departed Stoke City after spending over a year as Michael O’Neill’s assistant boss at the bet365 Stadium.

The 42-year-old oversaw a 1-0 victory against Blackburn Rovers during a brief spell as interim boss last month.

O’Neil is again set to take charge of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brighton at the Vitality Stadium.

Speaking after the recent 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest, he said: “I honestly haven’t considered whether I want it permanently.

“I feel like my job at the minute is to get Bournemouth as many points as I can in this period that I am here. I am fully focused on that.”

He added: “[I am] just delighted for the boys really. We asked them at half-time to believe and go again. To respond at that point after the week they have had says everything about what this group is about.

“They are an incredible group, they are so committed, so relentless, they never know when they are done. Two games on the trot they have literally emptied the tank for me.”