Bournemouth sack Parker after Liverpool mauling

Bournemouth have sacked boss Scott Parker just four games into the Premier League season.

The Cherries have parted company with Parker, 41, on the back of Saturday's humiliating 9-0 defeat at Liverpool, with owner Maxim Demin calling for unity at the club.

Though the former Fulham manager guided Bournemouth to promotion from the Championship in his first season in charge, his relationship with the hierarchy was clearly strained after a difficult summer in the transfer window.

And Denim has called on everyone at the Vitality Stadium to "show belief in and respect for one another" in the statement announcing Parker's departure.

The Russian-born British businessman said: "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 we will not veer from now. 

"Our search for a new head coach will begin immediately."

Following a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa to kick off their first season back in the top flight since 2019-20, Bournemouth suffered heavy defeats to Manchester City, Arsenal and the Reds.

In his final interview as Cherries boss — and not for the first time in recent weeks — Parker called on the club to bring in new players if they wanted to avoid going straight back down.

After the 9-0 defeat at Anfield, he said: "It doesn’t surprise me. This is currently where it is at this moment in time. The players need help. Today proved too big a challenge. The levels were far too big. 

"At times we couldn’t bear it, the intensity. We’ve got a decision to make as a club. There will be days like this. Time will tell. It's a huge disappointment, a real humbling experience. 

"I’m gutted for the players. It’s my job and it will be the defining of us as a group of how we bounce back from this. 

"We have some days where hopefully we can get some help in and support and help the current team who came up from the Championship. 

"There’s loads of work to be done. The experience today, you never want to be on the end of this. This is currently where are are. If this is the group we’re going with we’ll react and see where are."

First team coach Gary O'Neil has been placed in interim charge the home game with Wolves tomorrow night and will be assisted by Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick as the Cherries aim to end their three-match losing streak.