Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes that Gary O'Neil is a candidate for manager of the season.

The Bournemouth head coach has gone under the radar during this tumultuous Premier League season.

However, the 39-year-old has been in charge since Scott Parker was sacked earlier in the season, and has the team in 14th place and six points clear of relegation.

Speaking Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Carragher said: “At different times in the season we speak about managers of the year, the managers who have outperformed where we think they should be.

“A lot of the time we talk about Thomas Frank at Brentford and the job he's done, but this season it's the same names – Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Eddie Howe (Newcastle), and obviously Pep Guardiola (Man City) most seasons.

“But you could make an argument for Gary O'Neil.

“His first job as a manager. He's come in on the back of Bournemouth losing 9-0 at Anfield. Every pundit, every journalist, every supporter who was asked their view at the start of the season of who will go down, everyone has Bournemouth going down, no-one has them staying up.

“And to be honest, most people would have had them bottom.

“So to be where they are, and they're so close to actually giving themselves huge breathing space to stay in this league and I actually think they will right now. So yes he's had a huge impact."